Live mouse mutagenesis systems for testing mutagenic agents in vivo

ABSTRACT

Novel transgenic nonhuman animals for detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo are disclosed. When detecting reverse mutations, the transgenic nonhuman animal now afford the unique advantage of detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo without having to sacrifice the animals as required heretofore. Moreover, since the transgenic nonhuman animals do not need to be sacrificed, they provide the unique opportunity to correlate the incidence and location of tumors (carcinogenesis) with the incidence and location of mutagenesis. Also disclosed are novel constructs, cell lines and chimeric animals for producing the novel transgenic animals. Novel methods for detecting and characterizing the mutations in vivo and producing animals for use in accordance with the methods of the instant invention are disclosed.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 08/461,607, filed on Jun. 5, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,633 entitled Live Mouse Mutagenesis Systems for Testing Mutagentic Agens In Vivo, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/379,105, filed on Jan. 27, 1995, now abandoned, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/874,974, filed Apr. 27, 1992, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel transgenic animals for detecting mutagenic agents and characterizing the nature of the mutations thereby induced in vivo. The present invention further relates to novel constructs, cell lines and chimeric animals for producing the transgenic animals. The present invention further relates to novel methods for detecting and characterizing forward and reverse mutations in vivo.

BACKGROUND

The impact of environmental chemicals on human health has been clearly recognized and extensively reviewed. See, for example, Fishbein, L. pp. 329-363. In D. B. Walters, Ed. Safe Handling of Chemical Carcinogens, Mutagens, Teratogens and Highly Toxic Substances. Vol. I, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor Science (1980); and Identifying and Estimating the Genetic Impact of Chemical Mutagens, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1983). There are more than 70,000 synthetic chemicals in current commercial use, including pharmaceuticals, food additives, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. Identifying and Estimating the Genetic Impact of Chemical Mutagens, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1983) and Hollstein, M. et al.: Mutat. Res., 65:133-226 (1979). About a quarter of these are believed to be produced in abundance, with additional new chemicals introduced at a rate of about 1,000 per year. These numbers represent an alarming statistic when one considers the strong correlation between somatic cell mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, and between germ cell mutagenesis and heritable disease. McCann, J. et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 72:5135-5139 (1975). Exposure to many of these compounds is believed to pose a significant environmental health risk. In particular, somatic mutation, incurred as a consequence of exposure to environmental mutagens, is currently thought to produce an increased risk for the development of cancer.

Assessment of the mutagenicity of compounds or environments is extremely important for establishing a rational basis for reducing human exposure to those compounds that prove mutagenic. To this end, numerous short-term mutagenicity assays have been devised. See, for example, Waters, M. D. pp. 449-467. In A. W. Hsie, P. J. O'Neil and U. K. McElheny, Eds. Mammalian Cell Mutagenesis: The Maturation of Test Systems. Banbury Report 2. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1979). For example, the Salmonella/liver microsome test which was pioneered by Ames and his colleagues, has the ability to detect some mutagens. See, for example, McCann, J. et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 72:5135-5139 (1975), Waters, M. D. pp. 449-467. In A. W. Hsie, P. J. O'Neil and U. K. McElheny, Eds. Mammalian Cell Mutagenesis: The Maturation of Test Systems. Banbury Report 2. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1979), and Ames, B. N. et al.: Science, 176:47-48 (1972); Maron, D. M. and Ames, B. N.: Mut. Res., 113:173-215 (1983); Ashby, J. pp. 1-33. Mutagenicity: New Horizons in Toxicology. Ed. J. A. Heddle, N.Y., Academic Press (1982); and McCann, J. and Ames, B. N.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 73:950-954 (1976). In addition to the Ames bacterial test, there are short-term tests that utilize fungi, cultured mammalian cells, Drosophila and mice. While many of these short-term tests measure mutation at one or more genetic loci, others exploit end-point criteria such as clastogenesis, aneuploidy, DNA repair, micronucleus production, mitotic recombination, sister chromatid exchange or the formation of DNA adducts.

Unfortunately, the short-term mutagenicity assays are not without certain limitations and drawbacks. One major problem with the Ames bacterial test is believed to be its inability to recognize a significant number of known carcinogens. Another major problem with the existing short-term mutagenicity assays stems from tissue-specific differences in the ability to metabolize various chemicals. See, for example, Identifying and Estimating the Genetic Impact of Chemical Mutagens, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1983). For instance, some mutagens are direct-acting and are active in their parental (nonmetabolized) forms; however, most require metabolic conversion by one or more P450 enzymatic activities. There are numerous P450 activities, which constitute a large subset of monooxygenases, and many appear to have overlapping substrate specificities. See, for example, Identifying and Estimating the Genetic Impact of Chemical Mutagens, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1983); and Lu, A. Y. H. and Est, S. B.: Pharmacol. Rev., 31:277-295. The genes and cDNAs for some have been cloned and characterized. See, for instance, Gonzalez, F. J. et al.: Mutation Research, 247:113-127 (1991). While subcellular fractions, freshly prepared cells or long-term cell cultures may retain several P450 activities, many are lost. See, for example, Identifying and Estimating the Genetic Impact of Chemical Mutagens, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1983). Because of these problems, current in vitro mutagenicity assays are believed to be unable to precisely reproduce the spectrum of complex metabolic activities found in intact animals, tissues or differentiated cells and, as a consequence, rely upon compromises. Also, data from in vitro mutagenicity assays are difficult to correlate with carcinogenic potency in whole animals as measured by the incidence of tumors and the required dose of carcinogen.

In addition to these in vitro short-term mutagenicity assays, there are, for example, two in vivo assays that rely upon transgenic mice as mutagen detectors, which are marketed by Strategene and Hazelton. Both have adopted a similar approach. Their basic strategy has been to incorporate a bacterial reporter gene (lacZ or lacI) into a bacteriophage lambda, and to render mice transgenic for these constructs by pronuclear injection. The recombinant lambda prophage DNA integrates into the host genome as a tandem array, and can be rescued as particles infectious for E. coli by incubation with an extract that provides lambda phage capsid and tail proteins. In carrying out these in vivo assays, the mice are exposed to mutagens/carcinogens, and two or three days later (or longer) they are sacrificed. Individual organs (e.g. brain, liver, kidney, etc.) are recovered and DNA is extracted. The purified DNA is incubated with the lambda phage packaging extract, and infectious particles containing the packaged reporter gene are added to E. coli. If the lacZ gene is the reporter gene, wild-type lacZ will produce blue colored plaques when stained for beta-galactosidase activity. Conversely, mutant lacZ will produce colorless plagues. When lacI is used as the reporter gene, the color scheme is reversed. Wild-type lacI will produce colorless plagues and mutant lacI will produce blue plaques in the appropriate E. coli host. By counting plaques with mutant reporter genes, both groups, Strategene and Hazelton, estimate the relative mutagenicity of each compound for different organs.

Like the in vitro short-term mutagenic assays, these two in vivo assays are not without drawbacks. For example, it is difficult to separate mutation frequency from contributions by mitotic activity. In other words, if a cell with a mutant reporter gene is stimulated to proliferate, one would observe multiple mutant plagues as a consequence of a single mutagenic event. As a further drawback, the animals must be sacrificed and dissected for analysis, and their DNAs must be extracted and packaged before infecting the reporter E. coli. This requirement of dissection restricts the inherent power of the system to resolve which cell types or specific tissues are susceptible to mutagenesis. As a further disadvantage, the need to destroy the animals for detection of mutagenesis obviates the ability to follow the fates of mutagenized cells through the life cycle of the animals. Moreover, the possibility of correlating mutagenesis with carcinogenesis in the same animal is obviated.

In yet another drawback, the above in vivo transgenic systems rely upon the mutagenesis of a bacterial gene within a bacteriophage context. Bacterial genes are different from typical mammalian genes in terms of specific nucleotide content, codon usage, lack of introns and consensus splice sequences and other features. Moreover, because these transgenic systems rely upon the introduction of exogenous bacterial genes, the exogenous genes may interfere with the local chromatin structure within recipient chromosomes. Consequently, such interference may adversely impact upon the reliability of these in vivo transgenic systems. Thus, important and frequent types of mutations in eukaryote cells, such as those that destroy proper mRNA splicing, will not be detected by the above system. Further, the mutagenesis of the bacterial gene is subject to the effects (position effects) of the particular mammalian DNA context or chromosome site within which it resides. For example, whether or not the adjacent mammalian DNA is transcriptionally active or associated with heterochromatin could affect the mutagenesis of the inserted bacterial gene. Furthermore, in different, independently produced animals, utilizing the same or different bacterial genes, each introduced gene (transgene) is likely to be located within a different region of the host genome. Thus, different introduced genes will be subject to different position effects and their mutagenesis cannot be easily compared. Finally, the transgenic animals must be dissected, the DNA must be extracted, DNA must be packaged, and DNA must be sequenced to determine the molecular nature of mutagenesis. These requirements severely limit the number of mutagenic events that can be characterized. Moreover, the requirements render these in vivo systems incapable of identifying the specific cell types that undergo mutation.

Consequently, there clearly is a need for an in vivo mutation assay which does not require the animals to be sacrificed in order to detect the mutations of interest, which does not require a large number of animals to be used in order to detect a large number of mutagenic events, which permits the fate of mutant cells and their progeny to be followed during the life cycle of the animals utilized, which has the ability to quantitate the mutagenesis of the endogenous genes, which has the ability to quickly establish tissue specific susceptibility to mutation after exposure to a mutagen, and which has the ability to characterize the mechanisms of mutation without having to sequence the DNA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In brief, the present invention alleviates certain of the above-mentioned problems and shortcomings of the present state of the art through the discovery of novel live model mutagenesis systems for rapidly detecting mutagenic agents in vivo. The live model systems of the instant invention will not only identify agents which are mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic, but will also reveal or characterize the type of mutations, such as base substitutions and frame shifts, thereby induced. The live model mutagenesis systems of the instant invention are comprised of genetically engineered nonhuman animals (transgenic nonhuman animals), such as mice, that include as part of their genetic material, exogenous reporter genes, such as an APRT gene, having known mutations. In accordance with the instant invention, animals, such as mammals, fish and birds, may be used to form the live model systems for the detection of natural or synthetic mutagens and potential carcinogens. Assays including transgenic nonhuman animals are provided by the present invention for identifying mutagenic agents in vivo and for characterizing the molecular nature of the mutations induced thereby.

The live model systems of the instant invention are uniquely designed to test for mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic agents by detecting either forward mutations in heterozygous or hemizygous functional reporter genes, or reverse mutations in mutant reporter genes, preferably having known mutations. By “forward mutation(s),” it is meant herein to refer to the inactivation of the wild type target reporter gene. By “reverse mutation(s),” it refers herein to the reversion of a mutant gene to a gene which encodes a functional product. It should be understood to those versed in this art that while it is preferable to perform the reverse mutation with the mutant reporter gene in its natural location, the present invention also contemplates performing the reverse mutation with the mutant reporter gene in an ectopic location.

By the term “reporter gene(s),” it is used herein in a broad sense and is meant to define any gene or portion of a sequence that encodes a functional enzyme or product which binds a ligand or catalyzes the metabolism of a substrate (molecule) to a form which, when metabolized to the changed form, is selectively retained in a cell, such as those genes or sequences which encode for the salvage pathway enzymes. For example, the APRT⁺ gene codes for functional adenine phosphoribosyltransferase which metabolizes adenine (an uncharged molecule) to adenylate (a charged molecule) which cannot exit cells. Examples of reporter genes which are contemplated by the instant invention include adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt), thymidine kinase (tk) and the like.

The assays of the instant invention uniquely rely upon certain biochemical reactions which take place in virtually every cell of an animal. More particularly, the assays of the present invention are premised upon the realization that certain functional enzymes or products encoded by the reporter genes catalyze intracellularly the transfer of a ribose phosphate group to substrates like purines (adenine, guanine or hypoxanthine) or a phosphate group to nucleosides (thymidine) to form nucleotides. For example, in the case of a “reverse mutation,” the reversion of a mutated reporter gene, such as APRT⁻, endows the cell or group of cells with the reverted gene, e.g., reverted from APRT⁻ genotype to APRT⁺ genotype, with the genetic ability to produce a functional product which can metabolize a substrate such as adenine or an analog thereof to adenylate or a derivative thereof. When the substrate is in an unmetabolized form, such as adenine, the membrane of the APRT⁻ cells is permeable to it, and thus the adenine cannot accumulate in those cells. In APRT⁺ cells with functional APRT enzyme, however, the substrate is metabolized to contain a ribosephosphate and is unable to exit the cells. The metabolized product is selectively retained within the cells and incorporated into the nucleic acids of those cells. Thus, when the substrate to be administered to the transgenic animals following exposure to a mutagen is labeled or tagged in accordance with the present invention, those cells that have undergone a reverse mutation within the mutated reporter genes are uniquely marked for subsequent detection and/or imaging.

Accordingly, when transgenic nonhuman animals having mutated reporter genes are produced in accordance with the instant invention, the above-described biochemical reactions cannot take place unless the mutated reporter genes first undergoes a mutagenic event to revert to the wild type gene or to a functional gene, i.e., a “reverse mutation,” such as from APRT⁻ genotype to APRT⁺ genotype. Consequently, prior to exposing the transgenic nonhuman animals of the instant invention to mutagens, their cells cannot express the functional enzymes or products responsible for metabolizing the substrates to the phosphorylated forms resulting in the elimination of the unmetabolized substrates from the transgenics. However, after exposing the transgenic nonhuman animals of the present invention to a selected mutagen to thereby induce the mutated reporter genes to undergo mutation to the wild or functional type, i.e., “reverse mutation,” the reverted cells are now capable of expressing the appropriate functional enzymes to catalyze the biochemical reactions. Thus, when labeled or tagged substrates, e.g., labeled purines, pyrimidines or analogs thereof, are administered to the transgenic nonhuman animals of the present invention following exposure of the transgenic nonhuman animals to a mutagen to induce reverse mutation of the reporter genes to a functional condition, e.g., the wild or functional type, the labeled substrates can then be phosphorylated intracellularly and used in nucleotide and nucleic acid biosynthesis. Those cells which have incorporated the labeled or tagged substrates in vivo can then be detected and/or visualized in vivo to confirm which mutated reporter genes have undergone the mutagenic event. Moreover, because the mutations required for reversion in the mutated reporter genes are known, the assays of the instant invention will automatically reveal the type of mutation induced in vivo by the mutagen.

With respect to the “forward mutation” of a gene, such as aprt, in a cell heterozygous or hemizygous at that locus, e.g., from APRT⁺ genotype to APRT⁻ genotype, in accordance with the instant invention, it will render those cells incapable of metabolizing the substrate, such as adenine or adenine analogs like 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP) and 2-fluoroadenine (2-FA) whose metabolic products are toxic to the cells. Thus, when transgenic nonhuman animals having heterozygous or hemizygous reporter genes are produced in accordance with the present invention, their cells will be capable of expressing the appropriate enzymes to metabolize the substrates intracellularly. However, after exposing the transgenic nonhuman animals of the instant invention to a selected mutagen to thereby induce the reporter genes to mutate, the mutated cells will no longer be capable of catalyzing the biochemical reactions intracellularly. Thus, as a further feature of the present invention, cells derived from animal tissues that have undergone forward mutations at the reporter genes, e.g., from APRT⁺ genotype to APRT⁻ genotype cells, can be placed into tissue culture and subsequently selectively grown in for example DAP or 2-FA, and those APRT cells that have incurred no mutation will be selectively killed, so that the APRT⁻ cells can be identified. As an alternative, DAP or 2-FA can be administered to the transgenic nonhuman animals following exposure to such a mutagen to selectively ablate those APRT cells that have not undergone a forward mutation at the APRT⁺ locus to identify in vivo the APRT⁻ cells.

In carrying out the assays of the present invention, the transgenic nonhuman animals are first exposed to a selected mutagen or environment for a sufficient period of time to induce the mutagenic event within the mutant or heterozygous reporter genes. The interval between mutagen administration and analysis can range from about one day to about one year or more and preferably from about one to about two weeks. Mutagens may include chemicals, such as benzo[a]pyrene (Bp), beta-naphylamine, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), and cyclophosphemide (Cp), complex mixtures like cigarette smoke or the like, or radiation. They may be administered to the animal by, for example, inhalation, injection, mouth, or exposure in an amount effective to induce the desired forward or reverse mutation. As an alternative, mutagens may also include temperature and pressure changes, differences in oxygen concentrations or environments to elicit the desired forward or reverse mutation. Following administration of or exposure to a mutagen or a potentially mutagenic environment, appropriate labeled or tagged substrates are administered in suitable amounts to the transgenics. The transgenic nonhuman animals are then observed for a selected period of time, approximately a 24-hour period, to permit them to clear unmetabolized labeled substrates from their systems. After the selected period of time has passed, in the case of reverse mutations, the transgenics may be exposed to, for example, NMR, MRI or PET or other monitoring systems, or sacrificed or sampled and their radioactivity counted to detect the labeled substrates incorporated intracellularly in the cells of the transgenics to confirm the mutagenic event. In the case of forward mutations, the transgenics can then be sacrificed or sampled to detect calls in vitro which are incapable of metabolizing substrate analogs, such as adenine analogs, whose metabolic products are toxic to the cells with functional enzyme.

Quite amazingly, the action of a mutagenic agent on an endogenous target reporter gene can now be assessed in vivo when following the teachings of the instant invention. For example, forward mutation of an endogenous reporter gene, like aprt, will identify the preferred tissues and cell types in which a substance exerts a mutagenic effect in vivo. Further, it will allow for the determination of the preferred types of mutation within the same gene in different tissues by, for example, DNA sequencing. Reverse mutation within a mutant reporter gene, like aprt, in an animal homozygous compound heterozygous or hemizygous for a known mutation in that mutated reporter gene will identify the tissues and cell types in which a mutagenic agent has reverted the mutated reporter gene to wild type in vivo, and with what efficiency. In both embodiments, the mutagenic action of an agent upon an endogenous gene in its proper chromosomal location is determined, as is the preferred cell type(s) or tissue(s) in which the mutations will occur. In connection with the detection of forward mutations, it may require invasive techniques, such as removing tissue from the animals or sacrificing the animals, to detect the forward mutations. However, when detecting reverse mutations in accordance with the instant invention, it uniquely affords the added advantage of facilitating non-invasive methods for the in vivo detection of the mutations in the reporter genes by methodologies, such as MRI, NMR, PET and the like.

It is believed that when following the teachings of the instant invention, one can uniquely establish which tissues in the animals respond to a given agent or environment, and whether or not the route of administration (i.e., oral, inhalation, injection, topical, etc.) affects the distribution of tissues that respond, and whether or not the agent or its metabolic products cross the placenta and/or the blood-brain barrier.

In accordance with the present invention, the genetically engineered nonhuman animals may be bred from chimeric nonhuman animals that are produced through the use of gene targeting in animal embryonic stem cells (ES cells). An example of a novel genetically engineered nonhuman animal of the instant invention is an APRT-deficient animal, such as an APRT-deficient mouse. Such an APRT-deficient animal can be produced following successful gene targeting in animal embryonic stem cells in accordance with the instant invention. The APRT-deficient animals are believed to be suitable to aid in the study of the in vivo regulation, function and structure of the APRT gene, provide a unique live system for whole-animal studies and detection of mutagenesis and potential carcinogenesis, and enable fate mapping of cells.

Importantly, the present invention provides for the noninvasive detection of reverse mutations in nonhuman animals (e.g., mice) to determine which organs/tissues/cells have undergone mutagenic events. The nature of the instant invention uniquely affords the opportunity to follow the fate of these cells through the life of the animals. Thus, for example, periodic examination for the presence of tumors throughout the life of the animals affords the unique opportunity to correlate the incidence and location of tumors (carcinogenesis) with the incidence and location of mutagenesis. Further, in one embodiment of the instant invention, the incidence and location of tumors can be correlated with the occurrence of specific types of mutations.

The advantages of the present invention over the existing state of the art are numerous. For example, in the case of reverse mutations, animals no longer need to be sacrificed, since the end results of the reverse mutations of interest can be visualized in whole, living animals by, for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, or other whole body monitoring methodology. The aforementioned imaging techniques are believed to afford a high degree of resolution with regard to localizing said mutations, especially as compared to dissection of tissues prior to analysis for mutation. Thus, it is believed to now be possible to detect mutagenesis in specific, small segments of tissues or organs in vivo. This is especially important in resolving areas of mutagenesis in embryos or newborns. In the alternative, it is believed that the present invention permits cells that have sustained a mutation at the target locus to be subsequently visualized at an extremely high level of resolution, e.g., one cell in histologic sections, by virtue of their specifically incorporating a labeled or identifiable substance, e.g., autoradiography, reacting with a histochemical dye, reacting with a specific antibody, or being detected with imaging technology. In yet another alternative, the present invention permits the detection of mutation by measurement of total incorporation of a labeled substrate, such as labeled adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine or xanthine, in the whole animal or tissues of the animal. This can be accomplished by, for example, disintegrating the sacrificed animal or removing tissue therefrom following a.) exposing the animal to a mutagen, b.) administering the labeled substrate to the animal, and c.) detecting the labeled substrate retained after an appropriate time period in the whole animal, organs or tissues.

In addition, high resolution of mutagenesis enables the detection of many mutagenic events in a single genetically engineered animal, thereby eliminating the need to resort to a large number of animals. For example, a mouse is comprised of about 10¹² cells. If a single mutagenized cell can be detected, one can, in principle, derive 10¹² data points from a single mouse. If an imaging technique has the resolving power the size of the radius of a mass of 1,000 cells, then 10⁹ data points are available from a single animal with the present invention. Conventional animal tests such as those discussed earlier in the Background rely upon exposing large numbers of animals, e.g., 10,000, to a suspected mutagen. Subsequent to exposure, these animals must be maintained for extended periods to observe mutations. However, in accordance with the present invention, far fewer animals need be exposed, e.g., 10, to obtain many more data points. Further, unless one wishes to maintain the animals in order to screen for subsequent carcinogenic affects, the animals need not be maintained after imaging. Thus, much of the expense, time and effort of conventional animal assays is eliminated.

As a further advantage, the fate of the mutant cells and their progeny can be followed during the life cycle of the animals as a function of time, since the animals are not sacrificed when monitored. Thus, the present invention allows one to follow the developmental fate, as in “fate mapping,” of cells, and progeny of cells, that have undergone mutation at the target locus. Thus, one can observe the subsequent fate of embryonic cells that sustain a mutation at the target locus. The normal cell or tissue derivatives of the “marked” cells, as well as any abnormal derivatives, can be determined by periodic observation of the animal. In addition, the present invention allows one to follow the developmental fate of cells in which an introduced functional gene, such as the APRT gene, is directed by a tissue specific or developmentally regulated promoter.

In yet another advantage, the assays of the instant invention permit the quantitation of the mutagenesis of an endogenous gene within its proper context. For example, one may evaluate mutagenesis within the murine APRT gene at its normal locus. In still another advantage, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mechanism of mutagenesis is revealed, e.g., whether mutagenesis is caused by a specific substitution, transition, transversion or frameshift. Further, the mechanism is revealed without having to sequence any DNA in those situations where, for example, aprt activity is generated only by same site reversion.

The present invention also contemplates applications in the area of gene and enzyme therapy. For instance, when following the teachings of the current invention with respect to gene and enzyme therapy, data may be gathered which is believed at present to be unavailable and may have importance to the design of gene therapy protocols for treating inherited diseases and cancer. For example, in one such embodiment, the genetically engineered nonhuman animals (e.g., mice) described herein are believed to be useful to test the efficacy of vectors that deliver therapeutic genes, such as normal genes, to combat genetic disorders wherein the normal genes are defective such as in adenosine deaminase deficiency, cystic fibrosis, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, APRT deficiency, etc. In the alternative, the genetically engineered nonhuman animals described herein are believed to be further useful to test the efficacy of vectors that deliver therapeutic genes, such as il-2 (interleukin-2), tnf (tumor necrosis factor)) or nucleic acids (e.g., antisense RNA), to malignant cells. To determine the tissue or tissues targeted by a vector, such as a virus (e.g., retrovirus, adenovirus, poxvirus, parvovirus, etc.), liposomes, etc., a reporter gene as described herein (e.g., aprt, hprt, tk) is incorporated into the DNA or RNA or interior of the vector. After treating the nonhuman animal with the vector by a preferred route of administration, the animal is examined for the expression of the reporter gene by administration of a proper labeled substrate and use of one of the various methods described herein, such as MRI or PET imaging, sectioning followed by autoradiography, or disintegration followed by counting of radioactivity. It is believed that the pattern of label incorporation in the nonhuman animals will reveal the areas to which the gene (or nucleic acid) is delivered and expressed. Further, it is believed that the use of noninvasive imaging techniques will allow the nonhuman animals to be periodically examined such that a temporal pattern of gene expression may be determined. This information may be suitable to design and test vectors for the effective delivery of therapeutic genes or enzymes or other molecules to specific tissues or cells within the animal.

In another such embodiment with respect to gene therapy, a method may be used to gain information on the fate of cells that are introduced into an animal. For example, in instances of cancer or genetic disease, it is often desirable to replace diseased cells in tissues with either normal cells that have been genetically altered to a normal phenotype, or cells containing an introduced gene whose expression is therapeutic. For example, diseased marrow cells may be replaced by an autologous or heterologous transplant, muscle cells (myoblasts) or liver cells may be introduced, or cells containing a therapeutic gene (e.g., tnf or il-2) may be introduced. It is important to know whether or not said cells will populate certain tissues (e.g., marrow) and whether or not they or their progeny will survive in the recipient for extended periods of time. To aid in resolving these issues, cells containing an expressed reporter gene (e.g., aprt, hprt, tk) are introduced into an animal such as described herein (e.g., an Aprt⁻, Hprt⁻, or Tk⁻ mouse) and, after a period of time, their fate is examined by administering a suitable labeled substrate (e.g. labeled adenine, hypoxanthine, or thymidine). As in the previous example, the animals are sectioned, disintegrated or subjected to imaging by methods such as MRI or PET to determine the fate of the introduced cells. As in the previous example, periodic imaging can provide information on cell survival and on the mitotic expansion of introduced cells.

The present invention also contemplates those nonhuman animals which are heterozygous, homozygous or compound heterozygous for a mutated reporter gene that have been produced by methods other than gene targeting. For example, the present invention contemplates producing such nonhuman animals by selecting ES cells heterozygous for a reporter gene resulting from a spontaneous or induced mutation in one allele of the reporter gene locus in conditions such that those ES cells with two functional alleles of the reporter gene cannot survive. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates producing nonhuman animals by selecting ES cells which are homozygous, compound heterozygous or hemizygous resulting from spontaneous or induced mutations in both alleles of the reporter gene in conditions such that those ES cells that contain at least one functional allele of the reporter gene do not survive. Once the mutated ES cells have been selected they can be used to generate nonhuman germline chimerics and ultimately nonhuman transgenic animals in which the mutated reporter gene has been incorporated into all of the germ and somatic cells of the transgenic nonhuman animals. When producing nonhuman animals in accordance with these methods, the ES cells which are homozygous, compound heterozygous or hemizygous for the mutated reporter gene can be identified by cultivating them in certain selection media which are toxic to ES cells having at least one functional allele of a reporter gene. Likewise, when producing nonhuman animals with these methods, the ES cells which are heterozygous or hemizygous for the mutated reporter gene can be identified by cultivating them in certain selection media which are toxic to ES cells having more than one functional allele of the reporter gene. For instance, if the reporter gene is aprt, the ES cells can be cultivated in a medium containing an adenine analog, such as DAP or 2-FA, to identify those surviving ES cells wherein the APRT gene has undergone the mutagenic event. More particularly, for selecting ES cells that are homozygous or compound heterozygous for a mutated APRT gene, it is believed that a concentration of, for example, about 50 micrograms of DAP per ml of culture medium or about 5 micrograms of 2-FA per ml of culture medium can be used to selectively kill ES cells having at least one functional allele of a APRT gene. For selecting mutated heterozygous ES cells having a single functional APRT allele, it is believed that a concentration of, for example, about 5 micrograms of DAP per ml of culture medium can be used to selectively kill ES cells having at least two functional APRT alleles. Such mutated ES cells can then be used to develop the nonhuman germline chimerics and nonhuman transgenics as described herein. It should be understood by those versed in this art that the above-described ES cells may result from spontaneous or induced mutation by, for example, exposing the ES cells to a single mutagen or a plurality of mutagens. Likewise, it should be appreciated, the ES cells may be exposed once or repeatedly to the mutagen(s). The nonhuman animals having a mutated reporter gene may be produced by 1.) breeding the nonhuman germline chimerics and nonhuman transgenics to produce homozygosity, hemizygosity, heterozygosity or compound heterozygosity, or 2.) identifying those nonhuman animals that are homozygous, hemizygous, heterozygous or compound heterozygous which have been derived from the nonhuman chimerics, such as by DNA sequencing.

As an alternative, once a mutagen is known to induce a mutation in a reporter gene as a result of, for example, the present invention, the nonhuman animals for detecting mutations and other uses described herein may be produced by exposing nonhuman animals having a functional reporter gene to such a mutagen in an effective amount to induce a mutation in the reporter gene and breeding such nonhuman animals to produce nonhuman animals which are heterozygous, homozygous or compound heterozygous for the mutated reporter gene. It should of course be appreciated that when producing nonhuman animals by exposure, the mutation must occur in the nonhuman animals in such a manner that it can be incorporated into all of the germ and somatic cells of the progeny bred from the exposed nonhuman animals. In any of the above-produced nonhuman animals, the mutated reporter gene may be identified by methods disclosed herein and characterized by, for example, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or DNA sequencing techniques well known to those versed in this art.

As a further alternative, the present invention includes nonhuman animals which are heterozygous, hemizygous, homozygous or compound heterozygous for a spontaneously mutated reporter gene that result from the natural selection process. While theoretically it is possible for such nonhuman animals to exist, it is currently believed that their existence is highly unlikely and very rare. Moreover, even if such a naturally occurring nonhuman animal exists, it is believed that it is highly impractical, if not impossible, to identify or locate such a naturally occurring nonhuman animal. Nonetheless, in the event such a nonhuman animal being heterozygous (functional), hemizygous (functional or nonfunctional), homozygous (nonfunctional) or compound heterozygous (nonfunctional) for a reporter gene may exist and can be located and identified, such nonhuman animals are contemplated by the instant invention.

It is believed that screening techniques such as those described herein and known in the art may be relied upon in an effort to attempt to identify such a naturally occurring nonhuman animal. For instance, it is believed that PCR and DNA sequencing may be utilized to screen for such a naturally occurring nonhuman animal. In addition, it is believed that the examination of nonhuman animals for symptoms characteristic of reporter gene product deficiency may also be utilized in an effort to attempt to identify such a naturally occurring nonhuman animal. For example, when looking for aprt deficiency, reduced levels of aprt activity in blood cells or the presence of unusual adenine metabolites or elevated adenine in the urine or plasma can be monitored. Once such a naturally occurring animal has been located, this nonhuman animal can then be tested to determine if one or more of its APRT alleles are mutated.

In accordance with the present invention, the alleles of the reporter gene may be mutated, modified or deleted. For instance, one or both alleles may be modified with a marker gene, mutated or deleted by, for example, gene targeting or other techniques known to those versed in the art. Depending upon the use, the reporter genes may be homozygus, compound heterozygous, hemizygous or heterozygous. For example, when looking for reverse mutations, it is preferable that the mutant genotype of the reporter locus be homozygous or compound heterozygous. A mutated hemizygous allele for a reporter gene may also be used in reverse mutation assays. With respect to forward mutation assays, reporter loci having one functional allele are preferred; that is, reporter genes having a functional heterozygous or hemizygous genotype. When monitoring the efficacy of gene or enzyme delivery systems in accordance with the present invention, reporter loci having no functional alleles are preferred. That is, where the reporter gene has been mutated or modified such that the allele(s) are not functional and are homozygous, compound heterozygous or hemizygous for the mutation or modification. It is especially preferred to monitor the efficacy of gene or enzyme delivery systems where all alleles of the reporter gene in question have been deleted. Examples of genotypes contemplated by the present invention include reporter gene^(Mx)/reporter gene^(Mx), reporter gene^(My)/reporter gene^(My), reporter gene^(Mx)/reporter gene^(My), reporter gene-marker gene/reporter gene^(Mx), reporter gene-marker gene/reporter gene^(My), reporter gene-marker gene/reporter gene-marker gene, reporter gene^(Mx)/−, reporter gene^(My)/−, reporter-gene marker gene/− and −/−. The designation “Mx” refers to a known mutation in one allele of a reporter gene or sequence thereof. The designation “My” refers to an unknown mutation in one allele of a reporter gene or sequence thereof. The designation “−” refers to the deletion of one allele or the functional portion thereof of a reporter gene. The designation “reporter gene-marker gene” refers to a reporter gene or sequence thereof which has been modified with a marker gene or a sequence thereof.

The above features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following accompanying FIGS., Detailed Description and Examples which are illustrative of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS

With reference to the accompanying FIGS. which are illustrative of certain embodiments within the scope of this invention:

FIG. 1A depicts a scheme of resident mouse APRT gene. Open boxes represent exons, diagonal stripes represent 3′ untranslated region, and the BamH1 site is within the 3′ untranslated region;

FIG. 1B depicts the structure of a promoterless targeting construct of the present invention;

FIG. 1C depicts the organization of the targeted APRT gene after recombination with targeting DNA wherein the arrows indicate location of primers for diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The predicted structure of the modified resident APRT gene is illustrated in this FIG. 1C;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of recombination events between an alternative targeting vector and a targeted genomic sequence. Line A represents genomic mouse aprt with exons indicated by open boxes. Line B represents the completed targeting vector containing neo which is shown as a striped box. Recombination between the targeting vector and the genomic sequence produces the genomic sequence shown in line C in which exon 3 of aprt is disrupted by neo. The two horizontal arrows indicate the locations of oligonucleotide primers for PCR amplification to determine proper targeting; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart for introducing mutations into ES cells for producing chimeric and transgenic mice and for breeding mice to heterozygosity and homozygosity at the aprt locus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The striped mice designate chimeric mice. The stippled mice designate C57BL/6 mice. The white mice designate transgenic mice. The numerical legends in FIG. 3 correspond to the numerical steps summarized as follows:

1. ES cells 129/SV⁺/+ APRT⁺/APRT⁺ are electroporated with APRTNEO gene;

2. ES cells 129/SV⁺/+ APRT⁺/APRTNEO are injected into C57BL/6 mouse blastocyst;

3. Chimeric blastocyst of step 2 are implanted into uterus of pseudopregnant female mice;

4. Chimeric mice are born from step 3;

5. Mate C57BL/6 mice with chimeric mice of step 4;

6. Black and Agouti mice are born from the mating of step 5, and test Agouti mice of step 6 for APRTNEO gene;

7. Heterozygous Agouti APRT⁺/APRTNEO mice (Mice A);

8. Heterozygous Agouti APRT⁺/APRTNEO mice (Mice B);

8A. Mate Agouti mice of step 6 with 129SV⁺/+ mice, and test for APRTNEO gene;

9. Mate APRT⁺/APRTNEO mice from step 7 with one another or step 8 with one another;

10. Approximately 25% APRTNEO/APRTNEO mice are born from the mating of step 9 (Mice C);

10A. Mate the APRTNEO/APRTNEO mice of step 10 with wild-type 129/SV⁺/=;

11. Retrieve 129/SV⁺/+ blastocysts APRT⁺/APRTNEO from the mating of step 10A;

12. Produce—APRT⁺/APRTNEO 129/SV⁺/+ ES cells;

12A. Electroporate the APRT⁺/APRTNEO ES cells from steps 2 or 12 with a mutant APRT gene having a known or unknown mutation;

13. Produce APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO ES cells;

14. Inject the chimeric blastocysts of step 14 into C57BL/6 blastocyst to produce chimeric blastocysts;

14A. Implant the chimeric blastocysts of step 14 into uterus of pseudopregnant female mice;

15. Chimeric mice are born from step 14A;

16. Mate C57BL/6 mice with chimeric mice of step 15;

17. Black APRT⁺/APRT⁺ and Agouti APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ or APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO mice are born from the mating of step 16;

18. Test Agouti mice for APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ gene (Mice D);

19. Mate Agouti APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ mice of step 18; and

20. Approximately 25% APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) mice are born from the mating of step 19 (Mice E);

It will be understood that the particular FIGS. embodying the present invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the present invention. The principles and features of this invention may therefore be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By way of illustrating and providing a more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof, the following detailed description is given concerning the novel live animal mutagenesis/carcinogenesis systems, such as transgenic nonhuman animals, for testing mutagenic agents in vivo, novel chimeric nonhuman animals, or animals having modified or mutated reporter genes, which can be bred to produce the transgenic nonhuman animals, novel cell lines for use in developing the chimerics and the live model systems, novel gene targeting vectors for use in developing the cell lines, methods for testing mutagenic agents and methods for determining the efficiency and effectiveness of gene and enzyme therapy vectors.

The chimeric and transgenic test animals in accordance with the instant invention are generated using genetically manipulated embryonic stem (ES) cells or tetraocarcinoma (EC) cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of cultured blastocyst-stage embryos. ES cells retain the potential for differentiating into any cell type in the animal body and have been used heretofore to contribute to the germline of chimeric mice when introduced into host blastocysts. Gene targeting, the consequence of homologous recombination between genomic and exogenous DNA sequences, introduces specific changes into the genome. Thus, when the targeted cells are pluripotent ES cells, specific gene modifications may be transferred to the germline of chimeric and transgenic animals and propagated via mating. As indicated already, ES cells and their use in the production of chimeric and transgenic animals are well known, as disclosed in Robertson, E. J. in Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells, A Practical Approach, e.d. Robertson, IRL Press; and Oxford, Washington, D.C., 1987, and Hogan, B. et al. in: Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1986, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

By “chimeric nonhuman nonhuman animal(s),” the term is used herein in a broad sense and refers to animals whose tissues are comprised of cells of different origin, e.g., genetically modified ES cells and host cells from the recipient blastocyst. By “transgenic animal(s),” this term is also used herein in a broad sense and refers to animals which carry a modified gene or foreign gene in their somatic cells and in their germ cells such that it can be transmitted to subsequent generations by breeding.

Reporter genes that may be utilized in accordance with the instant invention to produce such chimeric and transgenic animals include, for example, aprt, hprt and tk. Once a reporter gene is selected, a gene targeting vector is formed for gene targeting. Preferably, the gene targeting vector is a promoterless construct which includes a promoterless open reading frame for 1.) a dominant selectable phenotype, i.e., a marker gene, for conferring ES cell resistance to agents, such as, G418, puromycin, hygromycin, histidinol, ouabain, vinblastine, adriamycin, bleomycin and p-glycoprotein pump, and 2.) DNA sequences of the target or reporter gene lacking a promoter. An example of a promoterless construct contemplated by the instant invention is a 2.5 Kb promoterless aprtneo construct containing a promoterless bacterial neomycin phosphotransferase (neo) gene flanked by mouse aprt sequences and having the following sequence as set forth in Table I.

SEQ ID NO: 1:

TABLE I 10         20 CCGGGATTGACGTGAGTTTAG        30        40        50        60        70 CGTGCTGATACCTACCTCCTCCCTGCCTCCTACACGCACGCGGCCATGT M S         80        90       100       110       120 CGGAACCTGAGTTGAAACTGGTGGCGCGGCGCATCCGCGTCTTCCCCGAC erGluProGluLeuLysLeuValAlaArgArgIleArgvalpheproAsp        130       140       150       160       170 TTCCCAATCCCGGGCGTGCTGTTCAGGTGCGGTCACGAGCCGGCGAGGCG PheProIleProGlyValLeuPheArgCysGlyHisGluProAlaArgAr        180       190       200       210       220 TTGGCGCTGTACGCTCATCCCCCGGCGCAGGCGGTAGGCAGCCTCGGGGA gTrpArgCysThrLeuIleProArgArgArgAr        230       240       250       260       270 TCTTGCGGGGCCTCTGCCCGGCCACACGCGGGTCACTCTCCTGTCCTTGT        280       290       300       310       320 TCCTAGGGATGCTGCAGCCAATATGGGATCGGCCATTGAACAAGATGGAT gAspAlaAlaAlaAsnMetGlySerAlaIleGluGlnAspGlyL        330       340       350       360       370 TGCACGCAGGTTCTCCGGCCGCTTGGGTGGAGAGGCTATTCGGCTATGAC euHisAlaGlySerProAlaAlaTrpValGluArgLeuPheGlyTyrAsp        380       390       400       410       420 TGGGCACAACAGACAATCGGCTGCTCTGATGCCGCCGTGTTCCGGCTGTC TrpAlaGlnGlnThrIleGlyCysSerAspAlaAlaValPheArgLeuSe        430       440       450       460       470 AGCGCAGGGGCGCCCGGTTCTTTTTGTCAAGACCGACCTGTCCGGTGCCC rAlaGlnGlyArgProValLeuPheValLysThrAspLeuserGlyAlaL        480       490       500       510       520 TGAATGAACTGCAGGACGAGGCAGCGCGGCTATCGTGGCTGGCCACGACG euAsnGluLeuGlnAspGluAlaAlaArgLeuSerTrpLeuAlaThrThr        530       540       550       560       570 GGCGTTCCTTGCGCAGCTGTGCTCGACGTTGTCACTGAAGCGGGAAGGGA GlyValProCysAlaAlaValLeuAspValValThrGluAlaGlyArgAs        580       590       600       610       620 CTGGCTGCTATTGGGCGAAGTGCCGGGGCAGGATCTCCTGTCATCTCACC pTrpLeuLeuLeuGlyGluValProGlyGlnAspLeuLeuSerSerHisL        630       640       650       660       670 TTGCTCCTGCCGAGAAAGTATCCATCATGGCTGATGCAATGCGGCGGCTG euAlaProAlaGluLysValSerIleMetAlaAspAla M ArgArgLeu        680       690       700       710       720 CATACGCTTGATCCGGCTACCTGCCCATTCGACCACCAAGCGAAACATCG HisThrLeuAspProAlaThrCysProPheAspHisGlnAlaLysHisAr        730       740       750       760       770 CATCGAGCGAGCACGTACTCGGATGGAAGCCGGTCTTGTCGATCAGGATG gIleGluArgAlaArgThrArg M GluAlaGlyLeuValAspGlnAspA        780       790       800       810       820 ATCTGGACGAAGAGCATCAGGGGCTCGCGCCAGCCGAACTGTTCGCCAGG spLeuAspGluGluHisGlnGlyLeuAlaProAlaGluLeuPheAlaArg        830       840       850       860       870 CTCAAGGCGCGCATGCCCGACGGCGAGGATCTCGTCGTGACCCATGGCGA LeuLysAlaArgMetProAspGlyGluAspLeuValValThrHisGlyAs        880       890       900       910       920 TGCCTGCTTGCCGAATATCATGGTGGAAAATGGCCGCTTTTCTGGATTCA pAlaCysLeuProAsnIleMetValGluAsnGlyArgPheSerGlyPheI        930       940       950       960       970 TCGACTGTGGCCGGCTGGGTGTGGCGGACCGCTATCAGGACATAGCGTTG leAspCysGlyArgLeuGlyValAlaAspArgTyrGlnAspIleAlaLeu        980       990      1000      1010      1020 GCTACCCGTGATATTGCTGAAGAGCTTGGCGGCGAATGGGCTGACCGCTT AlaThrArgAspIleAlaGluGluLeuGlyGlyGluTrpAlaAspArgPh       1030      1040      1050      1060      1070 CCTCGTGCTTTACGGTATCGCCGCTCCCGATTCGCAGCGCATCGCCTTCT eLeuValLeuTyrGlyIleAlaAlaProAspSerGlnArgIleAlaPheT       1080      1090      1100      1110      1120 ATCGCCTTCTTGACGAGTTCTTCTGAGGGGATCGGCAATAAAAAGACAGA yrArgLeuLeuAspGluPhePhe-*- SV40PolyA signal       1130      1140      1150 BamH11160      1170 ATAAAACGCACGGGTGTTGGGTCGTTTGTTCGGATCCTTGTACTTTGTAC       1180      1190      1200      1210      1220 ACGTCCCACACACCCTGGAGCATAGCAGAGCTGTGCTACTGGAGATCAAT                                               APR       1230      1240      1250      1260      1270 AAACCGTTTTGATATGCATGCCTGCTTCTCCTCAGTTTGTTGCATGGGTC T PolyA signal       1280      1290      1300      1310      1320 ACATTCCAGGCCTCCAGAGCGATACTACAGGGACAAGGGGGCTCAGGTGG       1330      1340      1350      1360      1370 GAACCCATAGGCTCAGCTTTGTATTGAAGCCACAACCCCTACTAGGGAGC       1380      1390      1400      1410      1420 AGATGTTATCTCTGTCAGTCTCTGAGGCAGCTGACTACATAAACAGGTTT       1430      1440      1450      1460      1470 ATTGCTTCACTGTTCTAGGCCTGTTATTCCATTAGGATGGACGAGGATGA       1480      1490      1500      1510      1520 AGCAGTGACCCACAGCCACTATATTTTTTTCTGTTGTTTGTCGAGATGGG       1530      1540      1550      1560      1570 GTTTCTTAATATAACCAGCCCTGGCTATTCTGGACTTGATTTGTAGCCCA       1580      1590      1600      1610      1620 GGCTGGCCTCAAACTTAAGAGGTCCACTGCCTCTGCTTCTTGAGTGCTGG       1630      1640      1650      1660      1670 GATCAAAGTACGCACCGCAACACCCAGTTCACAGTCACTATCTCAAAAAA       1680      1690      1700      1710      1720 GCTATTTTGTTGCAGGGCATGGTGTATAGACCTTTAATCCTAGTGCCTTG       1730      1740      1750      1760      1770 AAGGTAGGCAGGCTGTTAAAATTCAAGGCCAACCTGGCTATATAGTTCCA       1780      1790      1800      1810      1820 AGGAGAGCCAGAGCTTTTAGAAAAAATAAAAATTTAAAAAATATATATCA       1830      1840      1850      1860      1870 AGCCAGGCATGGTGGCACACACCTTTGATCCCAGCACTTGGGAGGCAGAG       1880      1890      1900      1910      1920 GCAGGGCGGATTTCTGATCTACAGAATGAGTTCCAGGACAACCAGTTCTA       1930      1940      1950      1960      1970 CAGAGAAACCCTGTCTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCACATTCTGGGGAAGT       1980      1990      2000      2010      2020 GGGTGTTGGGGAAAGAGGGGGATGGGAGAGAGCCTGCGTCCCACCAGAGT       2030      2040      2050      2060      2070 TCTGGTGCTCCAGGAGGCTGGATACTTTTCACACTGCCCCAGTGTGAGGC       2080      2090      2100      2110      2120 TATCTGGCATGATGTTAAGCCAGTCTCCGGCACCCCACACTGGATATGGT       2130      2140      2150      2160      2170 GGAGGAGCTGAGAACATAATAGGGACCCGGGCAGAAGGAAAGAGAGGGGG       2180      2190      2200      2210      2220 GGGAAGGGAGGGGTGCTGGGTGGAGTCCTTAGTCTGGTCCATGGCTGCAG       2230      2240      2250      2260      2270 CGTAGGAAGCCTTCTGGCAGGTTAAAAGTGCTCATTAGGAGAGCCTATCC       2280      2290      2300      2310      2320 GATCATCATTCAAACACGGTGGGCCTTCATGATCAGAGACAGTCTATGGT       2330      2340      2350      2360      2370 TTTAGAGCTTTATTGTAGAAAGGGAAGGAGAAAGAGAAGGTAGAAGGACA       2380      2390      2400      2410      2420 GCCATGGCCACGTGGAGAGAGGGGGGAAGGGAAAGAGAAAAAAAGCCAGA       2430      2440      2450      2460      2470 GAGCTTAAGAGAGCGAGGAGGGGCCAAACATCCCCTTATAGTGGGCTTTG       2480      2490      2500      2510      2520 CCATCTTGCTGTTGCTAGGTAACTGTGGGAAGGGAGTCTAGCCAGAATGC       2530 CAGAAGCTT Hind III Sequence

The promoterless aprtneo construct may be prepared as follows and as set forth in greater detail hereinafter in Example I. An aprt genomic clone extending to the 3′ HindIII site is deleted at the 5′ end to remove the aprt promoter. In so doing, the deletion terminates at a XmaI site, destroying that site and producing a linkered EcoRl site. See Dush et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 16:8509-8524 (1988), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This deletion construct is designated pdelta 807 and is believed to be the same as plasmid pIBI/-66, described in Dush et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 16:8509-8524 (1988). Plasmid pdelta 807 contains the aprt DNA fragment extending from the linkered EcoR1 site to the 3′ HindIII site. The plasmid is modified by first cleaving the DNA at the EcoRV site in exon 2, and inserting and ligating the double stranded linker 5′GCTGCAGC3′ containing a PstI site to the blunt end EcoRV-produced termini. The modified plasmid containing the new Pstl site is digested with Pstl and BamHl, and the intervening aprt sequence replaced by a promoterless neo DNA sequence which extends from a 5′ Pstl site to a 3′ BamHl site. The resulting plasmid lacks an aprt promoter and a promoter driving expression of neo. The neo fragment has a 3′ SV40 polyadenylation signal. The resultant protein is an in-frame chimera between exon 1 and part of exon 2, amino acids derived from the linker, and the neo gene product. The function of the linker is to ensure that the aprt sequence and neo sequence are in the same reading frame. See FIG. 1B.

The plasmid containing the construct depicted in FIG. 1B is digested with EcoR1 and HindIII to remove the insert, which is separated from the bacterial vector sequences by agarose gel electrophoresis. The separated EcoR1/HinIII insert is electroporated into ES cells cultured on transgenic, irradiated G418-resistant mouse embryo fibroblast feeder cells, and G418-resistant ES cells are selected. Several hundred independent G418-resistant ES cell clones are picked, pooled in groups of 10 and DNA from pools is isolated and subjected to amplification by PCR using primers, such as 5′-GAGAACCTGCGTGCAATCCATCTTG-3′ (neo primer) and 5′-GCAGGACTGAAAAAGCGTGTGTGGGGC-3′ (upstream aprt primer), positioned as shown by arrows in FIG. 1C. One primer is within the neo gene and is present within the targeting construct. See FIG. 1C. The other primer is within 5′ flanking aprt DNA and is not contained within the targeting construct. Only DNA from clones that have undergone a legitimate targeted recombination event will allow amplification by the above-mentioned primers.

Other desired promoterless targeting vectors can be made in suitable plasmids, such as pUC 19, pGEM, pBSK Bluescript and the like, and may be prepared by standard techniques well known to those versed in the art.

To produce chimeric nonhuman animals, such as chimeric mice, in accordance with the instant invention, the source of the ES cells and the source of the recipient blastocysts are preferably selected based on genetic background to facilitate rapid visual identification of chimeric mice based upon coat color differences. Any of several suitable cultured totipotent ES cell lines may be used, such as D3, D3A1 and E14, which may be obtained from Dr. Thomas Doetschman, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. The cultured ES cells are typically derived from 3.5 day post coitum (p.c.) blastocysts obtained from agouti strain 129/Sv+/+ mice, aprt⁻ and the recipient blastocysts are 3.5 day (p.c.) blastocysts from C57BL/6 mice. See, for example, Doetschman, T. C. et al.: J. Embyol. Exp. Morphol., 87:27-45 (1985). In all cases, individual cultured ES cell lines should be karyotyped and tested for pluripotency in vitro by allowing them to grow in the absence of a feeder layer, a procedure that promotes in vitro differentiation. The ES cells can be propagated using, for example, mitomycin C-treated STO mouse fibroblasts as feeder layers. The STO cells are a thioguanine-resistant and ouabain-resistant mouse fibroblast line. See, for example, Martin, G. R. and Evans, M. J.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 72:1441-1445 (1975). The ES cells can also be maintained in the absence of feeder cells by culture in Buffalo rat liver cell-conditioned medium, Hooper M. et al.: Nature, 326:295-298 (1987), or in medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor, such as disclosed in Williams, R. L. et al.: Nature, 336:684-687 (1988) and Smith, A. G. et al.: Nature, 336:688-690 (1988). However, it is preferable to maintain the ES cells on feeder layers comprised of mitotically inactive primary mouse embryo fibroblasts whenever possible. Empirically, it appears that there is little tendency to become aneuploid when ES cells are grown on primary fibroblasts. Retention of euploidy, however, is imperative if the ES cells are to be used to generate viable chimeras and transgenic animals. Nevertheless, certain genetic manipulations, as described later, may necessitate transient use of one or the other alternative culture conditions. Primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) are prepared by removing the liver and heart of 15 to 17 day embryos and trypsinizing the remainder of the embryo to produce a single cell suspension, which is plated and maintained by conventional means. MEFs are rendered non-mitotic by mitomycin-C treatment or exposure to about 3000 rad of ionizing radiation.

For production of chimeric and subsequent transgenic animals, ES cells with a male karyotype are preferable since chimeric male animals can sire more offspring, potentially containing the transgenes, than female animals can produce, thereby decreasing the time to test for germ line chimerism. Once it has been verified by Southern blots that the cultured ES cells have had the proper gene properly targeted by homologous recombination, they are ready for introduction into host blastocysts. The procedure for producing chimeric and transgenic mice generally follows that of Hogan, B. et al.: In Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1986). Following injection of ES cells into recipient blastocysts, the resultant chimeric blastulae are transferred to the uterus of preferably a pseudopregnant Swiss albino or ICR female mouse, previously mated to a vasectomized Swiss albino or ICR male mouse. See, for example, Doetschman, T. C. et al.: J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol., 87:27-45 (1985) and Williams, R. L. et al.: Cell, 52:121-131 (1988), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Typically, chimeric mice can be visually identified by patches of agouti coat color against the black coat color characteristic of C57BL/6 mice, which are the source of host blastulae. The agouti color is produced by the descendants of the 129/Sv+/+ ES cells. Male mice that are potentially germ line chimeras will be tested for germline chimerism by back-crossing to C57BL/6 female mice. Heterozygotes will be totally brown since the agouti phenotype is dominant over the C57BL/6 black coat color. All agouti mice may be tested for the presence of the targeted gene by cutting off approximately 1.0 cm of tail and extracting the DNA by conventional means known to those versed in this art. The DNA is subjected to an appropriate restriction enzyme digestion, such as BamHl for the construct in FIG. 1, and probed with a suitable gene probe, such as the neo DNA sequence for the above construct in accordance with standard technology. Heterozygous mice bearing the transgene will be mated to one another, and progeny homozygous for the transgene (about 25%) will be identified by DNA analysis as above, using Xmnl digested DNA and 5′ Xmnl/EcoRV DNA as a probe. APRT⁺ homozygotes produce a single band at about 3.5 Kb; APRT⁺/APRTNEO heterozygotes produce 2 bands at about 3.5 Kb and about 2.5 Kb; and APRTNEO/APRTNEO homozygotes produce a single band at about 2.5 Kb.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cultured ES cells are genetically modified at, for example, the resident APRT genes by targeted homologous recombination via methodology well known to those versed in this art. This may be done in two steps, see FIG. 1, although variations of the below described methodology may be utilized. First, a cloned mouse APRT gene is modified by insertion of a Pstl linker inserted at the EcoRV site and further modified such that much of the body of the gene is removed by a Pstl/BamH1 digest and replaced with a bacterial NEO gene in the same reading frame as the APRT gene at the point of fusion, as described hereinbefore. The cloned APRT gene is also truncated at its 5′ end so as to remove the APRT gene promotor. The final targeting DNA construct is comprised of about 280 bp of promoterless mouse APRT DNA at the 5′ end, a promoterless NEO gene spliced to the introduced Pstl site to render it in frame with aprt, and either 1.5 kb or 6 kb of mouse aprt at the 3′ side. The NEO gene also has an SV40 polyadenylation signal which precedes the APRT polyadenylation signal. This final vector has the aprtneo sequence as reported in Table I.

The rationale for constructing this vector as the initial targeting vector is as follows. The mouse APRT DNA flanking the bacterial NEO gene provides the homology with the endogenous gene that is required for gene targeting and consequent homologous recombination. The NEO gene provides a selectable marker to monitor successful introduction of the targeting vector into the host cell. Cells expressing the NEO gene become resistant to culture in the presence of the drug G418. Because neither the APRT gene nor the NEO gene on the targeting vector contains a promoter, the APRTNEO fusion will only express and manifest G418 resistance if the targeting construct fortuitously integrates next to a promoter or integrates at the desired position, i.e., the endogenous APRT gene, by homologous recombination. Since the former event is believed to be relatively rare, the design of the targeting vector enriches for the latter event. Thus, the design of a promoterless APRTNEO fusion gene, which confers G418 resistance, is intended as a method to enrich for the desired targeting event. To ensure that the G418 resistant ES cell clones have undergone the desired targeting event, the DNA from these cells is subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification using primers that reside in the NEO gene and in upstream APRT sequences that are not contained on the targeting vector but are present in the endogenous gene. Thus, only cells that have undergone the proper recombination event have the primer sequences in sufficiently close apposition to permit amplification of intervening DNA. Targeted cells should then be further analyzed by Southern blot analysis to ensure the absence of unwanted, randomly integrated NEO DNA.

The ES cells produced from the above targeting procedure are heterozygous at the APRT locus. One allele is wild-type and the second has part of the APRT gene replaced by an in-frame NEO sequence. Thus, the ES cells are aprt⁺, G418 resistant. In one embodiment, this cell line may then serve as the recipient for a series of individual second targeting events in which the targeting DNAs are mutant APRT genes with point mutations at the intron 3 splice acceptor site or a frameshift mutation elsewhere in the gene. Mutations at this site destroy aprt activity and concomitantly destroy a diagnostic Pstl restriction site. Following individual introduction of mutant genes by electroporation, clones that potentially have undergone the correct targeting event are selected by their Aprt⁻ phenotype and their consequent ability to grow in medium containing 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP) or in 2-fluoroadenine (FA). DNA from each of these candidate clones is examined by PCR amplification, using primers that flank the intron 3 splice acceptor site, followed by digestion with the Pstl restriction enzyme. If the enzyme cuts the amplified product, the Aprt⁻ phenotype is not a consequence of correct DNA targeting, but of mutation in the resident aprt wild-type gene. If the enzyme does not cut the amplified product, the gene containing the mutation at the intron 3 splice acceptor site has been introduced into the gene. To ensure that the mutant, introduced gene has not integrated illegitimately, the correct junctional fragments at the 3′ and 5′ ends of the targeting vector will be confirmed by Southern blotting. The chimeric mice will be produced by introduction of genetically modified ES cells into host blastulae and their implantation into the uteri of pseudopregnant females as is described herein.

In a second embodiment, the above described ES cells, heterozygous at the reporter gene, such as aprt, may be selected further in medium containing DAP or FA for Aprt⁻ cells that have incurred a mutation in the functional APRT allele. The mutations in these cells are identified by, for example, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The ES cell can be used to produce the chimeras. The chimeras then can be used to produce the transgenics.

To develop a mammalian cell mutagenesis assay in accordance with this invention, Schaff, D. A. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:8675-8679 (1990), site-directed mutagenesis may be used to insert defined point mutations into wild-type mouse APRT genes. Table M indicates the location of some of the mutations that have been introduced and may be used. The sites for mutation are preferably chosen because they are highly conserved between E.coli, mice and man and the introduced changes are predicted to alter mRNA splicing or protein conformation and/or charge. What are believed to be the best characterized of the introduced mutations, designated M1 through M6, represent six mutant permutations of the invariant AG splice acceptor sequence of intron 3. See Table M. See also, for example, Schaff, D. A. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:8675-8679 (1990); and Dlouhy, S. R. et al.: Mol. Carcinog., 2:217-225 (1989). Each of the six mutations results in the loss of a diagnostic Pst1 site. Transfection of each of the mutations into an aprt⁻ human cell line should not support aprt activity. The M1-M6 mutations are further characterized in Example II.

TABLE M Invariant 5′---CTGCAG/GCT---3′ Splice Acceptor Sequence of Intron 3 in Wild-Type APRT Gene Nucleotide Mutation Base Change M1 AA/GCT M2 GG/GCT M3 AT/GCT M4 AC/GCT M5 CG/GCT M6 TG/GCT

In forming the transgenic mice, it is preferable to introduce mutations M1-M6 in ES cells to form chimeric mice. An ES cell line heterozygous at the aprt locus will be established by targeted disruption of one of the two endogenous APRT genes. Once a pluripotent Aprt⁺/⁻ES cell line has been generated, mutations M1-M6 can each be introduced via gene targeting into the remaining unaltered aprt allele in accordance with the procedures as described for the aprtneo gene. APRT-deficient ES cells can then be selected and used to produce chimeric mice. By selective breeding of germline chimeric mice, mice homozygous for each of the mutations can be generated.

It is believed that mice carrying site-specific mutations within a selectable APRT gene will provide a unique in vivo model of both spontaneous and induced mutagenesis.

It is also believed that the development of an in vivo model of mutagenesis based on reversion of Aprt⁻/⁻ cells in mice to an Aprt⁺ phenotype will provide several advantages over the systems presently available. First, normal aprt is a ubiquitously transcribed, highly conserved endogenous gene whose functional absence from cells im vitro and in vivo is not detrimental to cell function. This suggests that all cells of all organs of an Aprt⁻/⁻ mouse would be capable of regaining aprt activity upon mutagenic reversion of the mutated APRT gene to wild-type. Analysis of such reversion to an Aprt⁺ phenotype is not likely to be complicated by transcriptional regulation in a particular cell type. In addition, information gathered in one species (mouse) can be extrapolated to APRT genes in other species (human).

Second, this assay requires the site-specific reversion of a known base pair change in order for aprt activity to be regained. Theoretically, this would lower the rate of spontaneous background mutation, thus allowing for identification of an increase in reversion induced by mutagen treatment. In addition, the exact mutational event that had occurred at the molecular level in all Aprt⁺ cells will be known since the type of mutation required to regain APRT activity is known. In vitro experiments have shown that the likelihood of a second-site mutation leading to aprt activity in M1-M6 is extremely small or nonexistent. By testing putative mutagens on multiple strains of mice, each carrying a different mutation, not only compounds that are mutagenic may be identified, but the type(s) of base pair substitution(s) they cause may also be determined. The development of mouse strains each carrying a different base pair substitution at their aprt locus will allow for the examination of differences between mutation rates of different base pair changes at the same site within the gene. Differences between mutation rates in different cell types and organs of a mouse carrying the same mutation in all of its cells can also be determined. The in vivo nature of the assay will allow for the determination of the mutagenicity of various compounds at different developmental stages.

By homologous recombination, using a “promoterless neo” vector, a pluripotent aprt⁺/⁻ES cell line capable of contributing to the germline of chimeric mice should be generated. Second, by homologous recombination site-specific mutations may be introduced into the second endogenous APRT gene in the Aprt⁺/⁻ES cells. This will permit for the breeding of mice homozygous for each site specific mutation.

The final product of one embodiment of the instant invention is a series of animal lines, e.g., mouse lines, homozygous for different mutant genes, such as mutant APRT genes, targeted to the endogenous gene locus. The final products of other embodiments of the of the present invention are 1.) a series of animal lines, such as mouse lines, having one functionally inactive reporter gene like an APRT gene, or 2.) animal lines, such as mouse lines, homozygous for a disrupted reporter gene like aprt. All cells of the animals of the first embodiment, i.e., animal lines homozygous for different mutant genes targeted to the endogenous gene locus, and the homozygous animals of the second embodiment, i.e., animal lines homozygous for a disrupted reporter gene, are, for example, aprt⁻ and cannot metabolize adenine or an isotopically tagged adenine derivative. Any cell that reverts to aprt⁺ by reversion or that is rendered aprt⁺ by introduction of a functional APRT gene can metabolize adenine or an isotopically tagged derivative, and incorporates its metabolic product, AMP, into nucleic acids. When adenine or a derivative is labeled, e.g. tritiated, deuterated, and/or labeled with ¹⁴C and/or ¹⁵N, ¹⁹F, or ⁷⁹BR and administered by injection, feeding or other method, the revertant cell (mutagen induced or spontaneous) and its descendants can be detected and followed by whole body imaging (e.g. MRI or NMR). A significant advantage is that the animal need not be sacrificed for examination and can be followed as a function of time. A further advantage is that the metabolic product of the APRT reaction, AMP, is a small molecule that can pass through gap junctions that couple cells in most tissues, a phenomenon known as metabolic cooperation. Thus, when cells are coupled via gap junctions, the signal is expanded from the single cell or nucleus of cells containing the reverted APRT gene to the surrounding, coupled cells. The revertant cell emits the most intense signal, with diminishing signal intensity as a function of distance. The precise number of cells with a mutation within the APRT gene target and their localization may be verified if radioactively labeled adenine is utilized. After administration of the labeled adenine the animals may be imaged, using for example radioactivity or sacrificed and histological sections prepared and then subjected to autoradiography.

While reversion of mutated APRT genes in transgenics and the metabolism of labeled adenine or derivatives thereof is a detection system of choice, there are alternative approaches. These include reversion of HPRT genes, GPT genes and thymidine kinase (tk) genes in transgenics and metabolism of their respective labeled substrates.

In another embodiment of the instant invention, it involves rendering animals, such as mice, deficient for tk and replacing the functional tk gene with a series of mutant tk genes bearing a set of defined transitions, transversions, point deletions, etc. The cells of these mice are incapable of metabolizing and incorporating into their DNA the metabolites isotopically labeled thymidine or 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd), a thymidine analog. Any cell that reverts to a tk⁺ phenotype will phosphorylate and incorporate the labeled thymidine or the BrdUrd into DNA, and those labeled cells and their coupled neighbors will provide the signal that is detected by MRI imaging or other imaging methodology or by sectioning of animals or by whole animal or tissue counting.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves producing genetically altered mice in which the gene for a cell surface or other antigen is replaced by one containing a mutation such that the product that it encodes can no longer be recognized by an antibody directed at the wild-type epitope(s). This epitope is missing in the tester mouse but will be regenerated following a reverse mutation event within the gene encoding the antigen, thereby reestablishing the wild-type epitope in that cell and its progeny. The reversion event can be detected by whole body imaging following administration of isotopically or otherwise labeled antibody. An example of such a cell surface antigen, which is expressed on the surface of most cells and which is not essential for the development of the mouse, is beta-2 microglobulin. The endogenous gene may be modified so that an epitope recognized by an antibody is lost. Upon reverse mutation (same site or second site mutation) the epitope is reestablished, and the occasional cells that express the epitope can be detected. An alternative embodiment involves forward mutation to reestablish expression of a repressed APRT gene or other reporter gene. As one example of this embodiment, the mutagenesis target is a gene that encodes a protein that represses expression of aprt or other reporter genes. When the repressor gene sustains a mutation, the repressor protein is rendered non-functional and reporter gene activity is restored and can be monitored as above. An example of this method involves the use of the bacterial lactose regulatory system. In this case, appropriate regulatory sequences (lactose operator) are introduced into or near the promotor region of the APRT gene or other reporter gene by gene targeting, as above. The gene encoding the repressor is introduced into the same animal as a single copy and its product prevents expression of the reporter gene (e.g., aprt). If the repressor gene (lacI) incurs a mutation, the repressor is crippled and aprt expression is reestablished in that cell and its progeny.

The present invention will now be further illustrated with reference to the following Examples.

EXAMPLE I

Production of Targeted ES Cells and Chimeric and Transgenic Mice

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT: EC 2.4.2.7), a ubiquitously expressed purine salvage enzyme, catalyzes the synthesis of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and inorganic pyrophosphate from existing adenine and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-phyrophosphate. The extensive characterization of the APRT gene from several species and the ability to select for either an aprt⁺ or aprt⁻ phenotype has made the aprt locus a popular choice for studies of gene mapping, gene regulation and spontaneous and induced mammalian gene mutations. Kozak, C. E. et al.: Somat. Cell Genet., 1:371-382 (1975); and Kang, C. Y.: J. Virol., 40:946-952 (1981), DNA replication, Handeli, S. et al.: Cell, 57:909-920 (1989); Taylor, M. W. et al.: Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 253A:467-473 (1989); Singer-Sam, J. et al.: Nucleic Acids Res., 18:1255-1259 (1990); and Turker, M. S.: Somat. Cell Mol. Genet., 16:331-340 (1990); Miles, C. et al.: Mol. Carcinog., 3:233-242 (1990); deBoer, J. G. et al.: Carcinogenesis, 10:1363≧1367 (1989); and de Jong, P. J. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:3499-3503 (1988).

Mouse aprt has been extensively studied. The APRT gene in mice is a ubiquitous, constitutively expressed gene whose expression or lack of expression constitutes a sensitive selectable marker. See, for example, Tischfield, J. A. et al.: Mol. Cell. Biol., 2:250-257 (1982). The mouse APRT gene has been characterized at the molecular level. The gene has been mapped to chromosome 8, Kozak, C. E. et al.: Somat. Cell Genet., 1:371-382 (1975), Nesterova, T. B. et al.: Biochem. Gent., 25:563-568 (1987), and has five exons and four introns preceded by four SP1 binding sites. See, for example, Dush, M. K. et al.: Nucleic Acids Res., 16:8509-8524 (1988). The small size of the gene (less than 3.0 kb) in mice is believed to facilitate rapid localization and analysis of mutations and makes it particularly amenable to the construction of specific sequence alterations. At the amino acid level, mouse and human aprt are greater than 80% homologous, with most substitutions being conservative. See, for example, Broderick, T. P. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84:3349-3353 (1987). This suggests that comparable mutations in the mouse and human genes may alter gene or enzyme function in a similar manner. An APRT-deficient mouse may be developed in accordance with this and the following Example as well as with this invention through the use of gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells. Such a mouse is believed to be suitable to aid in the study of the in vivo regulation, function and structure of the APRT gene, the fate mapping of cells, and selective ablation of cells, and provide a unique system for whole-animal studies of mutagenesis.

An APRT-deficient mouse can be produced by introducing into cultured animal embryonic stem cells (ES cells), a gene targeting vector containing a promoterless bacterial neomycin phosphotransferase (neo) gene flanked by mouse aprt sequences. See FIGS. 1 and 2. Homologous recombination will produce rare ES cells with the NEO gene precisely placed into an exon of one allele of aprt, thus rendering it nonfunctional. See FIGS. 1—2. These targeted ES cells will be selected and injected into appropriate mouse blastocysts to produce chimeric animals, some of which are likely to have ES cell-derived germ cells. See FIG. 3. When bred with wild-type, the latter animals will be identified by their ability to produce heterozygous offspring, which can then be inbred to produce homozygous, APRT-deficient mice. See FIG. 3.

A. ES and D3 Cell Cultures

An E14 or D3 cell line of male (XY) ES cells, which are derived from 129/Sv mice, can be targeted. An early passage of the cells was provided by Dr. Thomas Doetschman, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mice produced from these cells exhibit chinchilla coat color (c^(ch)), white-bellied agouti coloration (A^(Q)), pink-eyed dilution (p), and homozygosity for the glucose phosphate isomerase I^(a) (GPI-I^(a)) isozyme. About 80% of the pups resulting from the injection of these cells into host blastocysts are noted to be chimeric, and germline transmission of a modified E14 or D3 ES cell genome has been reported. The E14 and D3 cells can be grown on mitotically arrested feeder layers to promote euploidy and maintain totipotency, or on medium conditioned by Buffalo rat liver cells or medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to accomplish the same ends.

B. Mutating the ES Cell APRT Gene by Disruption with Neo

A procedure for disrupting the APRT gene by homologous recombination, and for selection of the resulting recombinant cells, is described by Doetschman et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 8583-8587 (1988), and is generally applicable to ES cells. APRT activity levels are believed to vary only several-fold in rodent tissues and are high in ES cells. The strategy takes advantage of the observation that a promoterless NEO gene is expressed when introduced into an exon downstream from an active promoter. Thus, when introduced by homologous recombination, downstream from the endogenous aprt promoter, neo will confer G418 resistance to ES cells. Experience suggests that the number of illegitimate neo insertions conferring G418 resistance will be reduced since few will be downstream from active promoters.

One targeting vector is described below in Table II and illustrated in FIG. 1. A pSAM-4.4 plasmid, which contains the entire wild-type mouse APRT sequence including the promoter and about 1.3 kb of 3′ flanking sequence, is selected as the starting plasmid. The 1.3 kb of 3′ flanking sequence begins at nucleotide 3071 and ends at nucleotide 4358. See Table II. The underscored regions in Table II represent the exons. The bracketed region in Table II is the 3′ untranslated region, i.e., nucleotides 2819-3070. The APRT translation start codon is at nucleotides 877-879.

SEQ ID NO:2:

Table II 1 GAATTCATGC TCACGGGCTC ACAGGAAGGT CCAAGAAGGA 41 ATGTTTAGAA TCCATTGGAC CCTCCCCACA CCCTCTCCTT 81 TGATGGAGCA TGGGCCAATT TGGAGGATAT CTTTTGAGTA 121 ATTGCAACTG CACTGAAGAT GATAATGGCC ATTATACTCA 161 GAGGACAGTC TTTCCACACC ACTACCTATA GACCCAAGTA 201 CTGTGCTGGG AAGGTAGAAC CCCAGTTCTG TCTCTGGCTA 241 TCAGGACCTT CTGGTTCCAC CCCAAAACGA GGAGGGCACA 281 TTCTGTTGCA ATGCACAGGA GTGTCTGTGG TCTCAGAGAA 321 GGCATTCCTT ACCCGCCCTG CTACCCTGCT TTCCCCTGCG 361 CTCTAGCCCA CACACAGTGC ACTCCCACCT CTGGACCTAA 401 GACTATCCAT CAGCTCCCTT CCGGGCTAAT TCCAGGAAAG 441 CAGGGGCTGA ATCTCAGGCC CCTTGTACTA TGCGCGAGGG 481 AAGGAACGCA AGGCCAAACC ACTCCAGCGG ACCTGGGCAA 521 GACCCGTCCC TGCTCCCCCA GGTCCAGAAG ACTAGCCCCT 561 GGAAAAGCAG GACTGAAAAA GCGTGTGTGG GGCAAAACCA 601 AAAAAGGATG GACATCGCAC ATCCCCTTTC CACCCATATA 641 TCTTTGAGGT AGGGATGCTT GTGTTTAGGC AGCTCAAGAA 681 ATCTAACCCC TGACTCAGGC CCCACACACA CCTCGCAGAG 721 GCCCCGCCTC TCAGCCTGTC CCGCCCCTCG TGCTAGACCA 761 ACCCGCACCC AGAAGCCCCG CCCATCGAGG ACGCTCCGCC 801 CTTGTTCCCC CCGGGATTGA CGTGAGTTTA GCGTGCTGAT 841 ACCTACCTCC TCCCTGCCTC CTACACGCAC GCGGCCATGT 881 CGGAACCTGA GTTGAAACTG GTGGCGCGGC GCATCCGCGT 921 CTTCCCCGAC TTCCCAATCC CGGGCGTGCT GTTCAGGTGC 961 GGTCACGAGC CGGCGAGGCG TTGGCGCTGT ACGCTCATCC 1001 CCCGGCGCAG GCGGTAGGCA GCCTCGGGGA TCTTGCGGGG 1041 CCTCTGCCCG GCCACACGCG GGTCACTCTC CTGTCCTTGT 1081 TCCTAGGGAT ATCTCGCCCC TCTTGAAAGA CCCGGACTCC 1121 TTCCGAGCTT CCATCCGCCT CTTGGCCAGT CACCTGAAGT 1161 CCACGCACAG CGGCAAGATC GACTACATCG CAGGCGAGTG 1201 GCCTTGCTAG GTCGTGCTCG TCCCCCACGG TCCTAGCCCC 1241 TATCCCCTTT CCCCCTCGTG TCACCCACAG TCTGCCCCAC 1281 ACCCATCCAT TCTTCTTCGA CCTCTGACAC TTCCTCCTTG 1321 GTTCCTCACT GCCTTGGACG CTTGTTCACC CTGGATGAAC 1361 TATGTAGGAG TCTCCCTTCC CTGCTAGGTA CCCTAAGGCA 1401 TCTGCCCTCG GTGCTTGTTC CTAGAGACGA ACTCTGCTCT 1441 GTCCTTGTGT CCAGAACCAG GCCTCCCTCT TTTAGGGCAC 1481 AAAGCTGGCC AGCATCCTGA CAGCAGGCTG GGAGACCCTG 1521 GAACCTCCAG ATGACGGACA TCCTTGCTTA GGGGTAGCCT 1561 CTGGGATGAA CTAGATACTA AAAATTAGGT AACCTTGGTT 1601 GGGCGTGGCG TGCCTGGGCA GACCTCAAGC CTGGTAGCTT 1641 CAGGGGCTGT TTCTCCCCAG GACTACACCG GGGCATCTTT 1681 CTCTTGTTCC CTCACACAAG CTTGTGTTAA ACAACTGCTG 1721 TCTACTTGGC TCCATGCCTG AGCTTGAGAA ACACCCTAGG 1761 ACAGCTGAAT GTCCACCAGG AGTGTCCAGA GGGAGGGTGG 1801 GCACCCCAGA GAACAGAGTG GCCTTGGTAA GTGCTCGGGG 1841 ACCACAGACT TTGCCACTTC ACTTCCTATT GGTACCCTTG 1881 GCCATGCTCC AGAAATTAGG GCATGTATGT ATCCTTCCCA 1921 CGACAGCTAG ATGCTGCATT TGAAGGTGGC AAGACCACCA 1961 TAGGTGGCCC TGAGCTGTTC AGAAGGCAGG TAGGATCCCC 2001 AAGGCTGAGA TGATGAGTTG ATGGCTACCC AGTAGCCATC 2041 AACGTTCTTC TAACCGTAGT CAGCAAGACC TAGTGTTCCT 2081 AGCAAGTGTT GACCTCGCCC ATACTTGGCC TCTAGATTCC 2121 CATGCCCCTC AGCTCCATCC CACAACCTTC CCTCCTTACC 2161 CTAACAGGTC TAGACTCCAG GGGCTTCCTG TTTGGCCCTT 2201 CCCTAGCTCA GGAGCTGGGC GTGGGCTGTG TGCTCATCCG 2241 GAAACAGGGG AAGCTGCCGG GCCCCACTGT GTCAGCCTCC 2281 TATTCTCTGG AGTATGGGAA GGTAAGCGAG CTGTGTGTAG 2321 AGGAAGGGCA GGGTCTTATC ACGGCTACCA GTGTCTAGGA 2361 GTAAATGTGG GTGCTCAGAG AGGTTGAGAC ATTGGGTCAG 2401 GTTTACACCA CCCAGAAACG CTCGAGCCTA GGGAGGTGGC 2441 CACTTGTTCG CGCCTAGACT CTGTCTTACA CTACTTCCTG 2481 TCTGCAGGCT GAGCTGGAAA TCCAGAAAGA TGCCTTGGAA 2521 CCCGGGCAGA GAGTGGTCAT TGTGGATGAC CTCCTGGCCA 2561 CAGGAGGTAA AGAACCAACC CAAGACAAAC AGACTTCAAA 2601 GGGCCAGACC CTGTCCTGGG TGCTGACTAA GCAAAGAGCT 2641 TGAACACCTC CTCTTTCTCT GTCCCTTCCC CCCAGGAACC 2681 ATGTTTGCGG CCTGTGACCT GCTGCACCAG CTCCGGGCTG 2721 AAGTGGTGGA GTGTGTGAGC CTGGTGGAGC TGACCTCGCT 2761 GAAGGGCAGG GAGAGGCTAG GACCTATACC ATTCTTCTCT 2801 CTCCTCCAGT ATGACTGA[GG AGCTGGCTAG ATGGTCACAC 2841 CCCTGCTCCC AGCAGCACTA GGAACTGCTT GGTGGCTCAG 2881 CCTAGGCGCC TAAGTGACCT TTGTGAGCTA CCGGCCGCCC 2921 TTTTGTGAGT GTTATCACTC ATTCCTTTGG TCAGCTGATC 2961 CGCCGTGCCT GTGGACCCCT GGATCCTTGT ACTTTGTACA 3001 CGTCCCACAC ACCCTGGAGC ATAGCAGAGC TGTGCTACTG 3041 GAGATCAATA AACCGTTTTG ATATGCATGC]CTGCTTCTCC 3081 TCAGTTTGTT GCATGGGTCA CATTCCAGGC CTCCAGAGCG 3121 ATACTACAGG GACAAGGGGG CTCAGGTGGG AACCCATAGG 3161 CTCAGCTTTG TATTGAAGCC ACAACCCCTA CTAGGGAGCA 3201 GATGTTATCT CTGTCAGTCT CTGAGGCAGC TGACTACATA 3241 AACAGGTTTA TTGCTTCACT GTTCTAGGCC TGTTATTCCA 3281 TTAGGATGGA CGAGGATGAA GCAGTGACCC ACAGCCACTA 3321 TMTTTTTTTC TGTTGTTTGT CGAGATGGGG TTTCTTAATA 3361 TAACCAGCCC TGGCTATTCT GGACTTGATT TGTAGCCCAG 3401 GCTGGCCTCA AACTTAAGAG GTCCACTGCC TCTGCTTCTT 3441 GAGTGCTGGG ATCAAAGTAC GCACCGCAAC ACCCAGTTCA 3481 CAGTCACTAT CTCAAAAAAG CTATTTTGTT GCAGGGCATG 3521 GTGTATAGAC CTTTAATCCT AGTGCCTTGA AGGTAGGCAG 3561 GCTGTTAAAA TTCAAGGCCA ACCTGGCTAT ATAGTTCCAA 3601 GGAGAGCCAG AGCTTTTAGA AAAAATAAAA ATTTAAAAAA 3641 TATATATCAA GCCAGGCATG GTGGCACACA CCTTTGATCC 3681 CAGCACTTGG GAGGCAGAGG CAGGGCGGAT TTCTGATCTA 3721 CAGAATGAGT TCCAGGACAA CCAGTTCTAC AGAGAAACCC 3761 TGTCTCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AATCACATTC TGGGGAAGTG 3801 GGTGTTGGGG AAAGAGGGGG ATGGGAGAGA GCCTGCGTCC 3841 CACCAGAGTT CTGGTGCTCC AGGAGGCTGG ATACTTTTCA 3881 CACTGCCCCA GTGTGAGGCT ATCTGGCATG ATGTTAAGCC 3921 AGTCTCCGGC ACCCCACACT GGATATGGTG GAGGAGCTGA 3961 GAACATAATA GGGACCCGGG CAGAAGGAAA GAGAGGGGGG 4001 GGAAGGGAGG GGTGCTGGGT GGAGTCCTTA GTCTGGTCCA 4041 TGGCTGCAGC GTAGGAAGCC TTCTGGCAGG TTAAAAGTGC 4081 TCATTAGGAG AGCCTATCCG ATCATCATTC AAACACGGTG 4121 GGCCTTCATG ATCAGAGACA GTCTATGGTT TTAGAGCTTT 4161 ATTGTAGAAA GGGAAGGAGA AAGAGAAGGT AGAAGGACAG 4201 CCATGGCCAC GTGGAGAGAG GGGGGAAGGG AAACACAAAA 4241 AAACCCAGAG AGCTTAAGAG AGCGAGGAGG GGCCAAACAT 4281 CCCCTTATAG TGGGCTTTGC CATCTTGCTG TTGCTAGGTA 4321 ACTGTGGGAA GGGAGTCTAG CCAGAATGCC AGAAGCTT

A 1 kb BglII/AvaI fragment containing the promoterless NEO gene is cut from a pSV2NEO, blunt-ended, and ligated into a unique BspEI site located in exon 3 of mouse aprt in pSAM-4.4 (Table II), thus inactivating aprt by introduction. See Table III. Exons 1-3 in the sequence in Table III are at nucleotides 873-952 and 1083-1189 and 2164-3306, respectively. Exons 4 and 5 are at nucleotides 3493-3571 and 3681-3823, respectively.

The translation start codon for the APRT gene in this sequence in Table III is at nucleotides 873-875, where the APRT translation start codon for pSAM-4.4 is at nucleotides 877-879. The stop codon for this APRT gene is at nucleotides 3821-3823. While exon 3 includes nucleotides 2164-3306, it has been altered from the wild-type APRT exon 3 by the insertion of a NEO gene. The NEO gene insert includes nucleotides 2238-3247 and is in a different reading frame from the wild-type APRT exon 3. In other words, the NEO gene relies upon an internal translation start codon at nucleotides 2273-2275 in exon 3. The stop codon for the NEO gene is at nucleotides 3065-3067. Included within the neo insert is an untranslated 3′ DNA fragment downstream from the neo stop codon, 3065-3067. This untranslated 3′ DNA downstream fragment terminates at nucleotide 3247. The polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, is located at nucleotides 4052-4057. While the DNA sequences of exons 4 and 5 are the same as the normally occurring exons 4 and 5, they are not translated because of the stop codon at nucleotides 3065-3067 for the NEO gene.

The construct recited in TABLE III encodes for at least two proteins. The DNA sequences encoding aprt and neo are out of frame with respect to one another so that what is translated is either a protein comprising a portion of aprt and a 12 amino acid nonsense polypeptide which is a translation product of the DNA segment that precedes the neo start codon at 2273-2275, or the NEO protein which begins at the internal translation start codon at nucleotides 2273-2275 and ends at the stop codon at nucleotides 3065-3067.

While there are minor differences in the upstream sequences from the APRT initiation codons between the sequences recited in Tables I and III, the differences are believed to have no impact upon the function of these fragments in accordance with the present invention. The differences are believed to be attributable to possible errors in transcription from the sequencing gels to recordation in the computer.

SEQ ID NO: 3:

TABLE III         10        20        30        40        50 GAATTCATGCTCACGGGCTCACAGGAAGGTCCAAGAAGGAATGTTTAGAA 1 2 3         60        70        80        90       100 TCCATTGGACCCTCCCCACACCCTCTCCTTTGATGGAGCATGGGCCAATT 1 2 3        110       120       130       140       150 TGGAGGATATCTTTTGAGTAATTGCAACTGCACTGAAGATGATAATGGCC 1 2 3        160       170       180       190       200 ATTATACTCAGAGGACAGTCTTTCCACACCACTACCTATAGACCCAAGTA 1 2 3        210       220       230       240       250 CTGTGCTGGGAAGGTAGAACCCCAGTTCTGTCTCTGGCTATCAGGACCTT 1 2 3        260       270       280       290       300 CTGGTTCCACCCCAAAACGAGGAGGGCACATTCTGTTGCAATGCACAGGA 1 2 3        310       320       330       340       350 GTGTCTGTGGTCTCAGAGAAGGCATTCCTTACCCGCCCTGCTACCCTGCT 1 2 3        360       370       380       390       400 TTCCCCTGCGCTCTAGCCCACACACAGTGCACTCCCACCTCTGGACCTAG 1 2 3        410       420       430       440       450 ACTATCCATCAGCTCCCTTCCGGTAATTTCAGGAAAGCAGGGGCTGAATC 1 2 3        460       470       480       490       500 TCAGGCCCTTGTACTATGCGCGAGGGAAGGAACGCAAGGCCAAACCACTC 1 2 3        510       520       530       540       550 CAGCGGACCTGGGCAAGACCCGTCCCTGCTCCCCCAGGTCCAGAAGACTA 1 2 3        560       570       580       590       600 GCCCCTGGAAAAGCAGGACTGAAAAAGCGTGTGTGGGGCAAAACCAAAAA 1 2 3        610       620       630       640       650 AGGATGGACATCGCACATCCCCTTTCCACCCATATATCTTTGAGGTAGGG 1 2 3        660       670       680       690       700 ATGCTTGTGTTTAGGCAGCTCAAGAAATCTAACCCCTGACTCAGGCCCCA 1 2 3        710       720       730       740       750 CACACACCTCGCAGAGGCCCCGCCTCTCAGCCTGTCCCGCCCCTCGTGCT 1 2 3        760       770       780       790       800 AGACCAACCCGCACCCAGAAGCCCCGCCCATCGAGGACGCTCCGCCCTTG 1 2 3        810       820       830       840       850 TTCCCCCCGGGATTGACGTGAGTTTAGCGTGCTGATACCTACCTCCTCCC 1 2 3        860       870       880       890       900 TGCCTCCTACACGCACGCGGCCATGTCGGAACCTGAGTTGAAACTGGTGG 1 2 3                      M  S  E  P  E  L  K  L  V        910       920       930       940       950 CGCGGCGCATCCGCGTCTTCCCCGACTTCCCAATCCCGGGCGTGCTGTTC 1 2 A  R  R  I  R  V  F  P  D  P  P  I  P  G  V  L  P        960       970       980       990      1000 AGGTGCGGTCACGAGCCGGCGAGGCGTTGGCGCTGTACGCTCATCCCCCG 1 2 3R       1010      1020      1030      1040      1050 GCGCAGGCGGTAGGCAGCCTCGGGGATCTTGCGGGGCCTCTGCCCGGCCA 1 2 3       1060      1070      1080      1090      1100 CACGCGGGTCACTCTCCTGTCCTTGTTCCTAGGGATATCTCGCCCCTCTT 1                                    I  S  P  L  L 2 3       1110      1120      1130      1140      1150 GAAAGACCCGGACTCCTTCCGAGCTTCCATCCGCCTCTTGGCCAGTCACC 1 K  D  P  D  S  F  R  A  S  I  R  L  L  A  S  H 2 3       1160      1170      1180      1190      1200 TGAAGTCCACGCACAGCGGCAAGATCGACTACATCGCAGGCGAGTGGCCT L  K  S  T  H  S  G  K  I  D  Y  I  A 2 3       1210      1220      1230      1240      1250 TGCTAGGTCGTGCTCGTCCCCCACGGTCCTAGCCCCTATCCCCTTTCCCC 1 2 3       1260      1270      1280      1290      1300 CTCGTGTCACCCACAGTCTGCCCCACACCCATCCATTCTTCTTCGACCTC 1 2 3       1310      1320      1330      1340      1350 TGACACTTCCTCCTTGGTTCCTCACTGCCTTGGACGCTTGTTCACCCTGG 1 2 3       1360      1370      1380      1390      1400 ATGAACTATGTAGGAGTCTCCCTTCCCTGCTAGGTACCCTAAGGCATCTG 1 2 3       1410      1420      1430      1440      1450 CTCGGTGCTTGTTCCTAGAGACGAACTCTGCTCTGTCCTTGTGTCCAGCC 1 2 3       1460      1470      1480      1490      1500 AACCAGGCCTCCCTCTTTTAGGGCACAAAGCTGGCCAGCATCCTGACAGC 1 2 3       1510      1520      1530      1540      1550 AGGCTGGGAGACCCTGGAACCTCCAGATGACGGACATCCTTGCTTAGGGG 1 2 3       1560      1570      1580      1590      1600 TAGCCTCTGGGATGAACTAGATACTAAAAATTAGGTAACCTTGGTTGGGC 1 2 3       1610      1620      1630      1640      1650 GTGGCGTGCCTGGGCAGACCTCAAGCCTGGTAGCTTCAGGGGCTGTTTCT 1 2 3       1660      1670      1680      1690      1700 CCCCAGGACTACACCGGGGCATCTTTCTCTTGTTCCCTCACACAAGCTTG 1 2 3       1710      1720      1730      1740      1750 TGTTAAACAACTGCTGTCTACTTGGCTCCATGCCTGAGCTTGAGAAACAC 1 2 3       1760      1770      1780      1790      1800 CCTAGGACAGCTGAATGTCCACCAGGAGTGTCCAGAGGGAGGGTGGGCAC 1 2 3       1810      1820      1830      1840      1850 CCCAGAGAACAGAGTGGCCTTGGTAAGTGCTCGGGGACCACAGACTTTGC 1 2 3       1860      1870      1880      1890      1900 CACTTCACTTCCTATTGGTACCCTTGGCCATGCTCCAGAAATTAGGGCAT 1 2 3       1910      1920      1930      1940      1950 GTATGTATCCTTCCCACGACAGCTAGATGCTGCATTTGAAGGTGGCAAGA 1 2 3       1960      1970      1980      1990      2000 CCACCATAGGTGGCCCTGAGCTGTTCAGAAGGCAGGTAGGATCCCCAAGG 1 2 3       2010      2020      2030      2040      2050 CTGAGATGATGAGTTGATGGCTACCCAGTAGCCATCAACGTTCTTCTAAC 1 2 3       2060      2070      2080      2090      2100 CGTAGTCAGCAAGACCTAGTGTTCCTAGCAAGTGTTGACCTCGCCCATAC 1 2 3       2110      2120      2130      2140      2150 TTGGCCTCTAGATTCCCATGCCCCTCAGCTCCATCCCACAACCTTCCCTC 1 2 3       2160      2170      2180      2190      2200 CTTACCCTAACAGGTCTAGACTCCAGGGGCTTCCTGTTTGGCCCTTCCCT 1 2           G  L  D  S  R  G  F  L  F  G  P  S  L 3       2210       220      2230      2240      2250 AGCTCAGGAGCTGGGCGTGGGCTGTGTGCTCATCCGGGATCTGATCAAGA 1 2 3 A  Q  E  L  G  V  G  C  V  L  I  R [D  L  I  K       2260      2270      2280      2290      2300 GACAGGATGAGGATCGTTTCGCATGATTGAACAAGATGGATTGCACGCAG 1 2                      M  I  E  Q  D  G  L  H  A R  Q  D  E  D  R  F  A  U]       2310      2320      2330      2340      2350 GTTCTCCGGCCGCTTGGGTGGAGAGGCTATTCGGCTATGACTGGGCACAA 1 G  S  P  A  A  W  V  E  R  L  F  G  Y  D  W  A  Q 3       2360      2370      2360      2390      2400 CAGACAATCGGCTGCTCTGATGCCGCCGTGTTCCGGCTGTCAGCGCAGGG 1 2Q  T  I  G  C  S  D  A  A  V  F  R  L  S  A  Q  G 3       2410      2420      2430      2440      2450 GCGCCCGGTTCTTTTTGTCAAGACCGACCTGTCCGGTGCCCTGAATGAAC 1 2 R  P  V  L  F  V  K  T  D  L  S  G  A  L  N  E 3       2460      2470      2480      2490      2500 TGCAGGACGAGGCAGCGCGGCTATCGTGGCTGGCCACGACGGGCGTTCCT 1 L  Q  D  E  A  A  R  L  S  W  L  A  T  T  G  V  P 3       2510      2520      2530      2540      2550 TGCGCAGCTGTGCTCGACGTTGTCACTGAAGCGGGAAGGGACTGGCTGCT 1 2C  A  A  V  L  D  V  V  T  E  A  G  R  D  W  L  L 3       2560      2570      2580      2590      2600 ATTGGGCGAAGTGCCGGGGCAGGATCTCCTGTCATCTCACCTTGCTCCTG 1 2 L  G  E  V  P  G  Q  D  L  L  S  S  H  L  A  P 3       2610      2620      2630      2640      2650 CCGAGAAAGTATCCATCATGGCTGATGCAATGCGGCGGCTGCATACGCTT 1 A  E  K  V  S  I  M  A  D  A  M  R  R  L  H  T  L 3       2660      2670      2680      2690      2700 GATCCGGCTACCTGCCCATTCGACCACCAAGCGAAACATCGCATCGAGCG 1 2D  P  A  T  C  P  F  D  H  Q  A  K  H  R  I  E  R 3       2710      2720      2730      2740      2750 AGCACGTACTCGGATGGAAGCCGGTCTTGTCGATCAGGATGATCTGGACG 1 2 A  R  T  R  M  E  A  G  L  V  D  Q  D  D  L  D 3       2760      2770      2780      2790      2800 AAGAGCATCAGGGGCTCGCGCCAGCCGAACTGTTCGCCAGGCTCAAGGCG 1 E  E  H  Q  G  L  A  P  A  E  L  F  A  R  L  K  A 3       2810      2820      2830      2840      2850 CGCATGCCCGACGGCGAGGATCTCGTCGTGACCCATGGCGATGCCTGCTT 1 2R  M  P  D  G  E  D  L  V  V  T  H  G  D  A  C  L 3       2860      2870      2880      2890      2900 GCCGAATATCATGGTGGAAAATGGCCGCTTTTCTGGATTCATCGACTGTG 1 2 P  N  I  M  V  E  N  G  R  F  S  G  F  I  D  C 3       2910      2920      2930      2940      2950 GCCGGCTGGGTGTGGCGGACCGCTATCAGGACATAGCGTTGGCTACCCGT 1 G  R  L  G  V  A  D  R  Y  Q  D  I  A  L  A  T  R 3       2960      2970      2980      2990      3000 GATATTGCTGAAGAGCTTGGCGGCGAATGGGCTGACCGCTTCCTCGTGCT 1 2D  I  A  E  E  L  G  G  E  W  A  D  R  F  L  V  L 3       3010      3020      3030      3040      3050 TTACGGTATCGCCGCTCCCGATTCGCAGCGCATCGCCTTCTATCGCCTTC 1 2 Y  G  I  A  A  P  D  5  Q  R  I  A  F  Y  R  L 3       3060      3070      3080      3090      3100 TTGACGAGTTCTTCTGAGCGGGACTCTGGGGTTCGAAATGACCGACCAAG 1 L  D  E  F  F  U 3       3110      3120      3130      3140      3150 CGACGCCCAACCTGCCATCACGAGATTTCGATTCCACCGCCGCCTTCTAT 1 2 3       3160      3170      3180      3190      3200 GAAAGGTTGGGCTTCGGAATCGTTTTCCGGGACGCCGGCTGGATGATCCT 1 2 3       3210      3220      3230      3240      3250 CCAGCGCGGGGATCTCATGCTGGAGTTCTTCGCCCACCCCGGCCGGAAAC 1                                               K 2 3       3260      3270      3280      3290      3300 AGGGGAAGCTGCCGGGCCCCACTGTGTCAGCCTCCTATTCTCTGGAGTAT Q  G  K  L  P  G  T  V  S  A  S  Y  S  L  E  Y 2 3       3310      3320      3330      3340      3350 GGGAAGGTAAGCGAGCTGTGTGTAGAGGAAGGGCAGGGTCTTATCACGGC 1G  K 2 3       3360      3370      3380      3390      3400 TACCAGTGTCTAGGAGTAAATGTGGGTGCTCAGAGAGGTTGAGACATTGG 1 2 3       3410      3420      3430      3440      3450 GTCAGGTTTACACCACCCAGAAACGCTCGAGCCTAGGGAGGTGGCCACTT 1 2 3       3460      3470      3480      3490      3500 GTTCGCGCCTAGACTCTGTCTTACACTACTTCCTGTCTGCAGGCTGAGCT 1                                          A  E  L 2 3       3510      3520      3530      3540      3550 GGAAATCCAGAAAGATGCCTTGGAACCCGGGCAGAGAGTGGTCATTGTGG 1 E  I  Q  K  D  A  L  E  P  G  Q  R  V  V  I  V 2 3       3560      3570      3580      3590      3600 ATGACCTCCTGGCCACAGGAGGTAAAGAACCAACCCAAGACAAACAGACT D  D  L  L  A  T  G 2 3       3610      3620      3630      3640      3650 TCAAAGGGCCAGACCCTGTCCTGGGTGCTGACTAAGCAAAGAGCTTGAAC 1 2 3       3660      3670      3680      3690      3700 ACCTCCTCCTTCTCTGTCCCTTCCCCCCAGGAACCATGTTTGCGGCCTGT 1 2                             G  T  M  F  A  A  C 3       3710      3720      3730      3740      3750 GACCTGCTGCACCAGCTCCGGGCTGAAGTGGTGGAGTGTGTGAGCCTGGT 1 2D  L  L  H  Q  L  R  A  E  V  V  E  C  V  S  L  V 3       3760      3770      3780      3790      3800 GGAGCTGACCTCGCTGAAGGGCAGGGAGAGGCTAGGACCTATACCATTCT 1 2 E  L  T  S  L  K  G  R  E  R  L  G  P  I  P  F 3       3810      3820      3830      3840      3850 TCTCTCTCCTCCAGTATGACTGAGGAGCTGGCTAGATGGTCACACCCCTG 1 F  S  L  L  Q  Y  D  U 3       3860      3870      3880      3890      3900 CTCCCAGCAGCACTAGGAACTGCTTGGTGGCTCAGCCTAGGCGCCTAAGT 1 2 3       3910      3920      3930      3940      3950 GACCTTTGTGAGCTACCGGCCGCCCTTTTGTGAGTGTTATCACTCATTCC 1 2 3       3960      3970      3980      3990      4000 TTTGGTCAGCTGATCCGCCGTGCCTGTGGACCCCTGGATCCTTGTACTTT 1 2 3       4010      4020      4030      4040      4050 GTACACGTGCCACACACCCTGGAGCATAGCAGAGCTGTGCTACTGGAGAT 1 2 3       4060      4070      4080      4090      4100 CAATAAACCGTTTTGATATGCATGCCTGCTTCTCCTCAGTTTGTTGCATG 1 2 3       4110      4120      4130      4140      4150 GGTCACATTCCAGGCCTCCAGAGCGATACTACAGGGACAAGGGGGCTCAG 1 2 3       4160      4170      4180      4190      4200 GTGGGAACCCATAGGCTCAGCTTTGTATTGAAGCCACAACCCCTACTAGG 1 2 3       4210      4220      4230      4240      4250 GAGCAGATGTTATCTCTGTCAGTCTCTGAGGCAGCTGACTACATAAACAG 1 2 3       4260      4270      4280      4290      4300 GTTTATTGCTTCACTGTTCTAGGCCTGTTATTCCATTAGGATGGACGAGG 1 2 3       4310      4320      4330      4340      4350 ATGAAGCAGTGACCCACAGCCACTATATTTTTTTCTGTTGTTTGTCGAGA 1 2 3       4360      4370      4380      4390      4400 TGGGGTTTCTTAATATAACCAGCCCTGGCTATTCTGGACTTGATTTGTAG 1 2 3       4410      4420      4430      4440      4450 CCCAGGCTGGCCTCAAACTTAAGAGGTCCACTGCCTCTGCTTCTTGAGTG 1 2 3       4460      4470      4480      4490      4500 CTGGGATCAAAGTACGCACCGCAACACCCAGTTCACAGTCACTATCTCAA 1 2 3       4510      4520      4530      4540      4550 AAAAGCTATTTTGTTGCAGGGCATGGTGTATAGACCTTTAATCCTAGTGC 1 2 3       4560      4570      4580      4590      4600 CTTGAAGGTAGGCAGGCTGTTAAAATTCAAGGCCAACCTGGCTATATAGT 1 2 3       4610      4620      4630      4640      4650 TCCAAGGAGAGCCAGAGCTTTTAGAAAAAATAAAAATTTAAAAAATATAT 1 2 3       4660      4670      4680      4690      4700 ATCAAGCCAGGCATGGTGGCACACACCTTTGATCCCAGCACTTGGGAGGC 1 2 3       4710      4720      4730      4740      4750 AGAGGCAGGGCGGATTTCTGATCTACAGAATGAGTTCCAGGACAACCAGT 1 2 3       4760      4770      4780      4790      4800 TCTACAGAGAAACCCTGTCTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCACATTCTGGGG 1 2 3       4810      4820      4830      4840      4850 AAGTGGGTGTTGGGGAAAGAGGGGGATGGGAGAGAGCCTGCGTCCCACCA 1 2 3       4860      4870      4880      4890      4900 GAGTTCTGGTGCTCCAGGAGGCTGGATACTTTTCACACTGCCCCAGTGTG 1 2 3       4910      4920      4930      4940      4950 AGGCTATCTGGCATGATGTTAAGCCAGTCTCCGGCACCCCACACTGGATA 1 2 3       4960      4970      4980      4990      5000 TGGTGGAGGAGCTGAGAACATAATAGGGACCCGGGCAGAAGGAAAGAGAG 1 2 3       5010      5020      5030      5040      5050 GGGGGGGAAGGGAGGGGTGCTGGGTGGAGTCCTTAGTCTGGTCCATGGCT 1 2 3       5060      5070      5080      5090      5100 GCAGCGTAGGAAGCCTTCTGGCAGGTTAAAAGTGCTCATTAGGAGAGCCT 1 2 3       5110      5120      5130      5140      5150 ATCCGATCATCATTCAAACACGGTGGGCCTTCATGATCAGAGACAGTCTA 1 2 3       5160      5170      5180      5190      5200 TGGTTTTAGAGCTTTATTGTAGAAAGGGAAGGAGAAAGAGAAGGTAGAAG 1 2 3       5210      5220      5230      5240      5250 GACAGCCATGGCCACGTGGAGAGAGGGGGGAAGGGAAAGAGAAAAAAAGC 1 2 3       5260      5270      5280      5290      5300 CAGAGAGCTTAAGAGAGCGAGGAGGGGCCAAACATCCCCTTATAGTGGGC 1 2 3       5310      5320      5330      5340      5350 TTTGCCATCTTGCTGTTGCTAGGTAACTGTGGGAAGGGAGTCTAGCCAGA 1 2 3       5360 ATGCCAGAAGCTT 1 2 3

The 4.3 kb fragment of Table III contains a complete mouse APRT gene disrupted in exon 3 by neo. It confers G418 resistance. BglI digestion of the plasmid containing the sequence recited in Table III releases an about 3.6 kb fragment containing the 1 kb NEO gene flanked at each end by about 1.3 kb of mouse genomic aprt sequences. See Table IV and line B of FIG. 2. The 1.3 kb aprt sequence at each end is believed to be sufficient to allow a high frequency of homologous recombination. This 3.6 kb fragment lacks the first exon of aprt as well as the promoter. Furthermore, both its 5′ and 3′ ends lie in noncoding regions. Thus, it is unlikely that small terminal deletions, that might occur as a consequence of recombination, will interfere with expression. This linear 3.6 kb fragment serves as an example of a targeting vector in accordance with the present invention (see below). When the fragment recited in line B of FIG. 2 and Table IV is introduced into ES cells and undergoes proper targeted homologous recombination with an endogenous APRT gene, it will produce a gene organization depicted in line C, FIG. 2. Thus, the consequence of correct targeting is the DNA illustrated in line C of FIG. 2.

TABLE IV                  970       980      990      1000               GCCGGCGAGGCGTTGGCGCTGTACGCTCATCCCCCG 1 2 3       1010      1020      1030      1040      1050 GCGCAGGCGGTAGGCAGCCTCGGGGATCTTGCGGGGCCTCTGCCCGGCCA 1 2 3       1060      1070      1080      1090      1100 CACGCGGGTCACTCTCCTGTCCTTGTTCCTAGGGATATCTCGCCCCTCTT 1                                    I  S  P  L  L 2 3       1110      1120      1130      1140      1150 GAAAGACCCGGACTCCTTCCGAGCTTCCATCCGCCTCTTGGCCAGTCACC 1 K  D  P  D  S  F  R  A  S  I  R  L  L  A  S  H 2 3       1160      1170      1180      1190      1200 TGAAGTCCACGCACAGCGGCAAGATCGACTACATCGCAGGCGAGTGGCCT L  K  S  T  H  S  G  K  I  D  Y  I  A 2 3       1210      1220      1230      1240      1250 TGCTAGGTCGTGCTCGTCCCCCACGGTCCTAGCCCCTATCCCCTTTCCCC 1 2 3       1260      1270      1280      1290      1300 CTCGTGTCACCCACAGTCTGCCCCACACCCATCCATTCTTCTTCGACCTC 1 2 3       1310      1320      1330      1340      1350 TGACACTTCCTCCTTGGTTCCTCACTGCCTTGGACGCTTGTTCACCCTGG 1 2 3       1360      1370      1380      1390      1400 ATGAACTATGTAGGAGTCTCCCTTCCCTGCTAGGTACCCTAAGGCATCTG 1 2 3       1410      1420      1430      1440      1450 CCCTCGGTGCTTGTTCCTAGAGACGAACTCTGCTCTGTCCTTGTGTCCAG 1 2 3       1460      1470      1480      1490      1500 AACCAGGCCTCCCTCTTTTAGGGCACAAAGCTGGCCAGCATCCTGACAGC 1 2 3       1510      1520      1530      1540      1550 AGGCTGGGAGACCCTGGAACCTCCAGATGACGGACATCCTTGCTTAGGGG 1 2 3       1560      1570      1580      1590      1600 TAGCCTCTGGGATGAACTAGATACTAAAAATTAGGTAACCTTGGTTGGGC 1 2 3       1610      1620      1630      1640      1650 GTGGCGTGCCTGGGCAGACCTCAAGCCTGGTAGCTTCAGGGGCTGTTTCT 1 2 3       1660      1670      1680      1690      1700 CCCCAGGACTACACCGGGGCATCTTTCTCTTGTTCCCTCACACAAGCTTG 1 2 3       1710      1720      1730      1740      1750 TGTTAAACAACTGCTGTCTACTTGGCTCCATGCCTGAGCTTGAGAAACAC 1 2 3       1760      1770      1780      1790      1800 CCTAGGACAGCTGAATGTCCACCAGGAGTGTCCAGAGGGAGGGTGGGCAC 1 2 3       1810      1820      1830      1840      1850 CCCAGAGAACAGAGTGGCCTTGGTAAGTGCTCGGGGACCACAGACTTTGC 1 2 3       1860      1870      1880      1890      1900 CACTTCACTTCCTATTGGTACCCTTGGCCATGCTCCAGAAATTAGGGCAT 1 2 3       1910      1920      1930      1940      1950 GTATGTATCCTTCCCACGACAGCTAGATGCTGCATTTGAAGGTGGCAAGA 1 2 3       1960      1970      1980      1990      2000 CCACCATAGGTGGCCCTGAGCTGTTCAGAAGGCAGGTAGGATCCCCAAGG 1 2 3       2010      2020      2030      2040      2050 CTGAGATGATGAGTTGATGGCTACCCAGTAGCCATCAACGTTCTTCTAAC 1 2 3       2060      2070      2080      2090      2100 CGTAGTCAGCAAGACCTAGTGTTCCTAGCAAGTGTTGACCTCGCCCATAC 1 2 3       2110      2120      2130      2140      2150 TTGGCCTCTAGATTCCCATGCCCCTCAGCTCCATCCCACAACCTTCCCTC 1 2 3       2160      2170      2180      2190      2200 CTTACCCTAACAGGTCTAGACTCCAGGGGCTTCCTGTTTGGCCCTTCCCT 1 2 3            G  L  D  S  R  G  F  L  F  G  P  S  L       2210      2220      2230      2240      2250 AGCTCAGGAGCTGGGCGTGGGCTGTGTGCTCATCCGGGATCTGATCAAGA 1 2 3 A  Q  E  L  G  V  G  C  V  L  I  R [D  L  I  K       2260      2270      2280      2290      2300 GACAGGATGAGGATCGTTTCGCATGATTGAACAAGATGGATTGCACGCAG 1 2                      M  I  E  Q  D  G  L  H  A R  Q  D  E  D  R  F  A  U]       2310      2320      2330      2340      2350 GTTCTCCGGCCGCTTGGGTGGAGAGGCTATTCGGCTATGACTGGGCACAA 1 G  S  P  A  A  W  V  E  R  L  F  G  Y  D  W  A  Q 3       2360      2370      2380      2390      2400 CAGACAATCGGCTGCTCTGATGCCGCCGTGTTCCGGCTGTCAGCGCAGGG 1 2Q  T  I  G  C  S  D  A  A  V  F  R  L  S  A  Q  G 3       2410      2420      2430      2440      2450 GCGCCCGGTTCTTTTTGTCAAGACCGACCTGTCCGGTGCCCTGAATGAAC 1 2 R  P  V  L  F  V  K  T  D  L  S  G  A  L  N  E 3       2460      2470      2480      2490      2500 TGCAGGACGAGGCAGCGCGGCTATCGTGGCTGGCCACGACGGGCGTTCCT 1 L  Q  D  E  A  A  R  L  S  W  L  A  T  T  G  V  P 3       2510      2520      2530      2540      2550 TGCGCAGCTGTGCTCGACGTTGTCACTGAAGCGGGAAGGGACTGGCTGCT 1 2C  A  A  V  L  D  V  V  T  E  A  G  R  D  W  L  L 3       2560      2570      2580      2590      2600 ATTGGGCGAAGTGCCGGGGCAGGATCTCCTGTCATCTCACCTTGCTCCTG 1 2 L  G  E  V  P  G  Q  D  L  L  S  S  H  L  A  P 3       2610      2620      2630      2640      2650 CCGAGAAAGTATCCATCATGGCTGATGCAATGCGGCGGCTGCATACGCTT 1 A  E  K  V  S  I  M  A  D  A  M  R  R  L  H  T  L 3       2660      2670      2680      2690      2700 GATCCGGCTACCTGCCCATTCGACCACCAAGCGAAACATCGCATCGAGCG 2D  P  A  T  C  P  F  D  H  Q  A  K  H  R  I  E  R 3       2710      2720      2730      2740      2750 AGCACGTACTCGGATGGAAGCCGGTCTTGTCGATCAGGATGATCTGGACG 1 2 3 A  R  T  R  M  E  A  G  L  V  D  Q  D  D  L  D       2760      2770      2780      2790      2800 AAGAGCATCAGGGGCTCGCGCCAGCCGAACTGTTCGCCAGGCTCAAGGCG 1 E  E  H  Q  G  L  A  P  A  E  L  F  A  R  L  K  A 3       2810      2820      2830      2840      2850 CGCATGCCCGACGGCGAGGATCTCGTCGTGACCCATGGCGATGCCTGCTT 1 2R  M  P  D  G  E  D  L  V  V  T  H  G  D  A  C  L 3       2860      2870      2880      2890      2900 GCCGAATATCATGGTGGAAAATGGCCGCTTTTCTGGATTCATCGACTGTG 1 2 P  N  I  M  V  E  N  G  R  F  S  G  F  I  D  C 3       2910      2920      2930      2940      2950 GCCGGCTGGGTGTGGCGGACCGCTATCAGGACATAGCGTTGGCTACCCGT 1 G  R  L  G  V  A  D  R  Y  Q  D  I  A  L  A  T  R 3       2960      2970      2980      2990      3000 GATATTGCTGAAGAGCTTGGCGGCGAATGGGCTGACCGCTTCCTCGTGCT 1 2D  I  A  E  E  L  G  G  E  W  A  D  R  F  L  V  L 3       3010      3020      3030      3040      3050 TTACGGTATCGCCGCTCCCGATTCGCAGCGCATCGCCTTCTATCGCCTTC 1 2 Y  G  I  A  A  P  D  S  Q  R  I  A  F  Y  R  L 3       3060      3070      3080      3090      3100 TTGACGAGTTCTTCTGAGCGGGACTCTGGGGTTCGAAATGACCGACCAAG 1 L  A  E  F  F  U 3       3110      3120      3130      3140      3150 CGACGCCCAACCTGCCATCACGAGATTTCGATTCCACCGCCGCCTTCTAT 1 2 3       3160       310      3180      3190      3200 GAAAGGTTGGGCTTCGGAATCGTTTTCCGGGACGCCGGCTGGATGATCCT 1 2 3       3210      3220      3230      3240      3250 CCAGCGCGGGGATCTCATGCTGGAGTTCTTCGCCCACCCCGGCCGGAAAC 1                                               K 2 3       3260      3270      3280      3290      3300 AGGGGAAGCTGCCGGGCCCCACTGTGTCAGCCTCCTATTCTCTGGAGTAT Q  G  K  L  P  G  P  T  V  S  A  S  Y  S  L  E  Y 2 3       3310      3320      3330      3340      3350 GGGAAGGTAAGCGAGCTGTGTGTAGAGGAAGGGCAGGGTCTTATCACGGC 1G K 2 3       3360      3370      3380      3390      3400 TACCAGTGTCTAGGAGTAAATGTGGGTGCTCAGAGAGGTTGAGACATTGG 1 2 3       3410      3420      3430      3440      3450 GTCAGGTTTACACCACCCAGAAACGCTCGAGCCTAGGGAGGTGGCCACTT 1 2 3       3460      3470      3480      3490      3500 GTTCGCGCCTAGACTCTGTCTTACACTACTTCCTGTCTGCAGGCTGAGCT 1                                          A  E  L 2 3       3510      3520      3530      3540      3550 GGAAATCCAGAAAGATGCCTTGGAACCCGGGCAGAGAGTGGTCATTGTGG 1 E  I  Q  K  D  A  L  E  P  G  Q  R  V  V  I  V 2 3       3560      3570      3580      3590      3600 ATGACCTCCTGGCCACAGGAGGTAAAGAACCAACCCAAGACAAACAGACT D  D  L  L  A  T  G 2 3       3610      3620      3630      3640      3650 TCAAAGGGCCAGACCCTGTCCTGGGTGCTGACTAAGCAAAGAGCTTGAAC 1 2 3       3660      3670      3680      3690      3700 ACCTCCTCCTTCTCTGTCCCTTCCCCCCAGGAACCATGTTTGCGGCCTGT 1 2                             G  T  M  F  A  A  C 3       3710      3720      3730      3740      3750 GACCTGCTGCACCAGCTCCGGGCTGAAGTGGTGGAGTGTGTGAGCCTGGT 1 2D  L  L  H  Q  L  R  A  E  V  V  E  C  V  S  L  V 3       3760      3770      3780      3790      3800 GGAGCTGACCTCGCTGAAGGGCAGGGAGAGGCTAGGACCTATACCATTCT 1 2 E  L  T  S  L  K  G  R  E  R  L  G  P  I  P  F 3       3810      3820      3830      3840      3850 TCTCTCTCCTCCAGTATGACTGAGGAGCTGGCTAGATGGTCACACCCCTG 1 F  S  L  L  Q  Y  D  U 3       3860      3870      3880      3890      3900 CTCCCAGCAGCACTAGGAACTGCTTGGTGGCTCAGCCTAGGCGCCTAAGT 1 2 3       3910      3920      3930      3940      3950 GACCTTTGTGAGCTACCGGCCGCCCTTTTGTGAGTGTTATCACTCATTCC 1 2 3       3960      3970      3980      3990      4000 TTTGGTCAGCTGATCCGCCGTGCCTGTGGACCCCTGGATCCTTGTACTTT 1 2 3       4010      4020      4030      4040      4050 GTACACGTGCCACACACCCTGGAGCATAGCAGAGCTGTGCTACTGGAGAT 1 2 3       4060      4070      4080      4090      4100 CAATAAACCGTTTTGATATGCATGCCTGCTTCTCCTCAGTTTGTTGCATG 1 2 3       4110      4120      4130      4140      4150 GGTCACATTCCAGGCCTCCAGAGCGATACTACAGGGACAAGGGGGCTCAG 1 2 3       4160      4170      4180      4190      4200 GTGGGAACCCATAGGCTCAGCTTTGTATTGAAGCCACAACCCCTACTAGG 1 2 3       4210      4220      4230      4240      4250 GAGCAGATGTTATCTCTGTCAGTCTCTGAGGCAGCTGACTACATAAACAG 1 2 3       4260      4270      4280      4290      4300 GTTTATTGCTTCACTGTTCTAGGCCTGTTATTCCATTAGGATGGACGAGG 1 2 3       4310      4320      4330      4340      4350 ATGAAGCAGTGACCCACAGCCACTATATTTTTTTCTGTTGTTTGTCGAGA 1 2 3       4360      4370      4360      4390      4400 TGGGGTTTCTTAATATAACCAGCCCTGGCTATTCTGGACTTGATTTGTAG 1 2 3       4410      4420      4430      4440      4450 CCCAGGCTGGCCTCAAACTTAAGAGGTCCACTGCCTCTGCTTCTTGAGTG 1 2 3       4460      4470      4480      4490      4500 CTGGGATCAAAGTACGCACCGCAACACCCAGTTCACAGTCACTATCTCAA 1 2 3       4510      4520      4530      4540      4550 AAAAGCTATTTTGTTGCAGGGCATGGTGTATAGACCTTTAATCCTAGTGC 1 2 3       4560      4570      4580      4590 CTTGAAGGTAGGCAGGCTGTTAAAATTCAAGGCCAACCTGGC 1 2 3

C. ES Cell Targeting and Blastocyst Injection

The 3.6 kb linear fragment described above is introduced into E14 cells by electroporation under standard conditions. This is followed by selection in medium containing 150 micrograms per milliliter of G418. This level of G418 is believed to be effective in selecting ES cells containing a neo gene driven by the APRT promoter. It is believed that G418 resistant colonies will arise both from homologous recombination and illegitimate (nonhomologous) integration within any transcribing gene and that the former, normally a very rare event, will be enriched. To distinguish the former from the latter, DNA from pooled G418 resistant colonies will be tested for the presence of a unique fragment containing a predicted, novel junction created by homologous recombination. Cells from about 10 colonies are pooled and their extracted DNA subjected to PCR amplification with one oligonucleotide primer complementary to a 5′-region of the neo sequence and a second primer complementary to a sequence in the promoter of aprt, which is not present in the BglI fragment. See line C of FIG. 2. Only DNA pools containing the 1.5 kb aprtneo junctional fragment flanked by these primers will support amplification. Each cell colony that goes into the positive pool are tested to identify those that are properly targeted. Positive colonies are cryopreserved, and their putative 1.5 kb junctional fragments obtained after PCR amplification will be sequenced to confirm their identity and proper structure. Further, Southern blot analysis will confirm the presence of both a wild-type and a neo-disrupted aprt in the cells and will indicate the absence of any illegitimate insertion. Finally, to test for euploidy, high-resolution giemsa banded karyotypes are prepared.

Between 10 to 20 ES cells derived from several properly targeted clones are introduced into individual host blastocysts per the method of Hogan et al. In brief, 3.5-day p.c. blastocysts are individually held with a micropipette and slight negative pressure so that the inner cell mass is oriented towards the pipette orifice. An injection needle containing the ES cells is inserted into the blastocoele, the cells are expelled, and the needle is withdrawn. The injected blastocyst will then collapse but will subsequently expand after 2-3 hr. of culture. Injected blastocysts are suspended in drops of medium under oil at 37° C. and after expansion are transferred to the uterine horns of pseudopregnant females. See FIG. 3.

One endpoint of the present invention is to produce animals that have a genotype APRT⁺/APRTNEO, APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx), APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(My), APRT^(My)/APRT^(My), APRTNEO/−, APRT^(Mx)/−, APRT^(My)/−, or APRTNEO/APRTNEO for purposes of in vivo mutagenesis and environmental monitoring. Alternatively, these animals can be used for purposes of cell fate mapping during development or malignancy and metastasis, or for selective cell ablation, or for measuring the effectiveness of enzyme therapy delivery vectors, or for measuring the effectiveness of enzyme therapy delivery vectors. In a first step, about 2.5×10⁷ ES cells from the D3 or E14 ES cell lines are subjected to electroporation to introduce a linear, promotorless construct containing a selectable marker gene, such as an aprtneo construct described herein, into the cells to confer resistance and render the cells selectable. See FIG. 3. The disaggregated cells are suspended in PBS at about 10⁷ cells/ml. About 500 ul of cell suspension is introduced into the cuvette along with about 20 ug of the DNA dissolved in 50 ul of H₂O. After mixing gently, electroporation is carried out at about 21° F. and about 600V using a GeneZapper 450/2500 (IBI). For each experiment, 5 replicate cell samples are electroporated, bringing the total number of cells to about 2.5×10⁷. Cells are added to 10 cm tissue culture plates with adherent, primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) that are G418 resistant and that have been rendered non-mitotic by ionizing radiation (3000 rad), or treatment with mitomycin C. MEFs are prepared by removing the liver and heart of 15 to 17 day embryos that are transgenic for neo (neo transgenic mice available from Dr. Tom Doetschman, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio) disaggregating the remaining embryonic cells and expanding the cells in the presence of about 200 ug/ml G418. The MEFs are frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen until needed as feeder layers. The ES cells are maintained and selected on irradiated MEFs. Following electroporation with the aprtneo construct shown in FIG. 1, the ES cells are plated on irradiated MEFs in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) 15% FB5, and after 24 hrs., G418 (150 ug/ml) is added to the medium. The medium, containing G418, is changed every second day until day 10, at which time G418 resistant ES cell colonies are visible. Several hundred colonies are picked with a glass pipette, and the cells in each colony disaggregated with trypsin and colonies individually placed in 15mm wells with MEF feeder layers.

The next step is to distinguish the cells that have incurred a desired targeted recombination event (FIG. 1) from the majority of transfected cells that have incurred a random integration event. To this end, aliquots of individual colonies are pooled into groups of ten, their DNAs isolated by standard methods and their purified DNA subjected to PCR analysis using a Cetus-Perkin Elmer DNA Thermal Cycler. The primers used are those described in FIG. 1, one located within the neo gene and contained within the introduced, targeting DNA and the other external to the targeting DNA and complementary to APRT 5′ flanking DNA. Only those cells that have incurred a desired targeting event will have DNA sequences complementary to the primers sufficiently close to enable amplification of the intervening DNA. The PCR products are fractionated by gel electrophoresis and visualized by ethidium bromide staining. Pools producing positive signals are noted, and cells from individual colonies are similarly tested to identify the colony with the targeted APRT gene. Cells from the targeted colony are expanded, and DNA further tested by Southern blot analysis. The DNA is digested with BamHl, gel fractionated and blotted onto a nitrocellulose matrix, and hybridized with a ³²P-labeled neo probe. If correctly targeted with no additional unwanted insertions, there is only a single hybridizing band of about 9 kb. For confirmation, the DNA is digested with HindIII and probed with a fragment extending from the XmaI site to the EcoRV site (FIG. 1). The wild-type gene produces a fragment of about 4 kb and the targeted gene produces a fragment of about 6 kb. The targeted ES cells are APRT⁺/APRTNEO, and thus have only a single functional APRT gene. These cells can be used for a second targeting event to replace the functional APRT gene with a non-functional APRT gene bearing a known mutation (Mx), as described below. These ES cells will have an APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO phenotype and will have an Aprt⁻ genotype. Alternatively, the APRT⁺/APRTNEO cells can be selected in DAP or FA directly for spontaneous, inactivating mutations in the remaining functional APRT gene, leading to an Aprt⁻ phenotype (My) and the ability to grow in this medium. See FIG. 3. These cells would have an APRT^(My)/APRTNEO genotype and would also be aprt⁻. The spontaneous mutation can be determined by, for example, PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing using techniques well known to those versed in this art.

There are no available Aprt⁻ mouse embryo fibroblasts available to serve as feeder layers for ES cells being selected in PAP or 2-FA. These can be produced from APRTNEO/APRTNEO or APRTNEO/APRY^(Mx) or APRT^(My)/APRT^(My) mice by standard methods as described below. Alternatively, the ES cells can be maintained in medium containing leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF), available from AMGEN, during the selection with DAP or 2-FA. The presence of LIF permits the cells to remain undifferentiated and to retain their pluripotent potential.

Although the ES cells of preference are the established D3 and E14 ES cell lines, both derived from 129/SV⁺/+ mice and available from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, new ES cell lines including Aprt⁻ ES cells can be produced. Blastocysts, as depicted in FIG. 3, are obtained from 3½, day post coitum (p.c.) mice and are transferred into 10 mm wells containing a monolayer of mitotically inactive feeder cells in 1 ml medium (DMEM plus heat-inactivated 10% newborn calf serum and 10% fetal calf serum). After about 36 hrs., the embryos hatch from the zona pellucida, and attach to the feeder layer via the migrating trophoblast cells. The inner cell mass (ICM) component, formerly sequestered within the trophoblast layer, becomes exposed to the tissue culture environment and rapidly proliferates. By 4 to 6 days in culture, the ICM cells give rise to small clumps, at which time they are physically dislodged from the underlying sheet of trophoblast cells using a finely pulled pasteur pipette. Each clump is individually washed through two changes of Ca⁺⁺/Mg⁺⁺-free phosphate buffered saline (PBS), followed by transfer to a drop (50 ul) of trypsin (0.25%) EDTA (0.04%) medium (69) under oil and incubation for 3 to 5 minutes at 37° C. To disaggregate the clump, it is gently drawn through the mouth of a finely pulled pasteur pipette prefilled with serum-containing medium and expelled repeatedly, generating small aggregates of 3 to 4 cells. The contents of the drop are then transferred to the center of a fresh 10 mm feeder well containing 1 ml culture medium, and incubated at about 37° C.

After about 2 days of culture, discrete colonies become apparent on the feeder layer surface. These colonies may exhibit morphologies characteristic of either trophoblast, epithelial, endodermal or stem cell-like cells. The colonies are usually, but not always, composed exclusively of the same cell type. Those that appear overtly differentiated are readily identified and discarded. Colonies comprised of undifferentiated pluripotential stem cells contain tightly packed small cells with large nuclei, prominent nucleoli and a small rim of cytoplasm. After a week of culture, those colonies containing exclusively cells with an ES phenotype are individually removed, disaggregated as above, and passaged into fresh feeder wells. To ensure that the cell samples are free of differentiated cell types, individual colonies containing only ES type cells are again picked, disaggregated and transferred. After an additional week, the cultures are expanded by trypsinizing the whole well and passaging the pooled contents to a 3 cm feeder well containing 2 ml embryo culture medium. The cultures are fed every second day and transferred to larger dishes as the colonies grow large. When sufficient cells are available, they are ready for genetic manipulation and can be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. In all cases, individual ES cell clones will be karyotyped and tested for pluripotency in vitro by allowing them to grow in the absence of a feeder layer, a procedure that promotes in vitro differentiation. For production of chimeric animals, it is preferable to use ES cells with a male karyotype since a chimeric male can sire more offspring, potentially containing the transgene, than a chimeric female can produce, thereby decreasing the time to test for germline chimerism.

To produce chimeric and then transgenic animals from genetically modified ES cells, there are several intermediate steps. The genetically altered ES cells are introduced into 3.5 day p.c. C57BL/6 blastocysts. See, for example, FIG. 3, step #2. Following abdominal incision of 3.5 day pregnant black coat color C57BL/6 females, the uterine horns are severed at the cervix and trimmed from the mesometrium. The uterus is cut below the junction with the oviduct and transferred to a 35 mm petri plate containing M2 medium, as described in Hogan, B. et al. in: Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1986). Blastocysts are recovered by flushing each uterine horn with about 1 ml of M2 medium using a 25 gauge needle. For introduction of the genetically modified ES cells of agouti coat color 129/SV⁺/⁺ origin into blastocysts of black coat color C57BL/6 origin, the blastocysts are individually held by slight negative pressure to a heat-polished holding pipette with the inner cell mass oriented towards the pipette orifice. An injection needle, optimally containing between 7 and 12 single ES cells, is inserted into the blastocoele. The cells are slowly expelled and the needle withdrawn. The blastocyst will collapse but will subsequently expand following 2-3 hours of culture. Injected blastocysts are transferred to drops of DMEM+10% fetal calf serum under oil and cultured at 37° C. Following reexpansion (about 2 to 3 hours) the chimeric blastocysts are surgically transferred into the uterine horns of 2.5 day p.c. pseudopregnant females. See FIG. 3, step #3.

For the implantation operation, surrogate mothers (about 2.5 day p.c.) are injected with 2.5% avertin (0.017 ml/mg body weight), the back is swabbed with 70% ethanol, and the skin and body wall of the back are cut, avoiding large blood vessels. The large fat pad attached to the ovary is identified, pulled outside of the body and fastened with a serafine clamp. The uterus is visualized under a dissecting microscope, and pierced with a 27 gauge needle below the junction with each oviduct. Optimally, 6 to 7 blastocysts will be expelled from the implanting pipette directly into each uterine horn via the channel produced by the needle. The serafine clamp is then removed, the fat pad, uterus, oviduct and ovary are placed back inside the body wall, which is closed with one or two stitches, and the skin sealed with autoclips. About 18-19 days later, mice are born. See FIG. 3, step #4.

Chimeric mice can be visually identified by patches of agouti coat color against the black coat color characteristic of C57BL/6 mice, which are the source of the best blastulae. See FIG. 3. The agouti color is produced by the descendants of the 129/SV⁺/+ ES cells. To confirm that the genetically altered ES cells have populated the germ line, male chimeras are back-crossed to blackcoat color C57BL/6 female mice. Heterozygote progeny will be totally agouti since the agouti phenotype is dominant over the C57BL/6 black coat color. See FIG. 3. The genotype of the agouti progeny can be either APRT⁺/APRT⁺, with one APRT gene coming from the chimera and the other coming from the C57BL/6 black female, or APRT⁺/APRTNEO, with the APRTNEO deriving from the genetically modified ES cells that have populated the germ line of the male chimera. To discriminate between these two possibilities, agouti progeny will be tested for the presence of the APRTNEO fusion gene by cutting off about 1 cm of tail, extracting the DNA and digesting the DNA with BamHl, and performing a Southern blot using the neo gene as the radiolabeled probe. See FIG. 3. If the mouse is heterozygous and contains the APRTNEO fusion gene, a band about 9 kb will be apparent. If the mouse is APRT⁺/APRT⁺, there will be no band. The positive mouse will have an APRT⁺/APRTNEO genotype.

Once it is determined that the chimeric mouse is a germ line chimera and can transmit the APRTNEO transgene, it will be bred to wild-type agouti coat color 129/SV⁺/+ mice and heterozygotes will be identified by tail blots as above. See FIG. 3. Heterozygotes will be bred to one another to produce Aprt⁻ mice with an APRTNEO/APRTNEO genotype. See FIG. 3. These mice are useful for cell ablation studies, for testing gene therapy delivery methodologies, for production of Aprt⁻ mouse embryo fibroblast feeder cells, and as a source of new ES cell lines with an APRTNEO/APRTNEO genotype in a 129/SV⁺/+ genetic background. Embryos that have an APRT⁺/APRTNEO genotype are produced by mating APRTNEO/APRTNEO homozygous mice with wild-type mice and are useful for producing new ES cell lines, as previously described, having an APRT⁺/APRTNEO genotype. See FIG. 3. This mating protocol represents a second way of producing APRT⁺/APRTNEO ES cells that are useful for introducing a second homologous recombination targeting event in which the single functional APRT gene is replaced by an APRT gene containing a known mutation (e.g. mutants M1 through M6). These ES cells will have an APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁻ genotype, will have an APRT⁻ phenotype and can be selected in culture medium containing DAP or FA.

The mutant genes M1 through M6, and the frameshift mutant M7 are prepared from the cloned wild-type gene Dush, M. K. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. USA, 82:2731-2735 (1985), or as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,520, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and as set forth herein in Example II.

Embryonic stem cells that are APRT⁺/APRTNEO, produced from the recombination-mediated targeting with the APRTNEO construct in FIG. 1B and Table I, are electroporated with a mutant APRT^(Mx) gene, such as those containing a single point mutation (e.g. M1-M7), and Aprt⁻ ES cells are selected in medium containing DAP or 2-FA. For selection, the cells are cultured on APRTNEO/APRTNEO MEFs feeder cells derived from the previously described APRTNEO/APRTNEO mouse or in medium containing LIF in the absence of MEF feeder cells. Alternatively, APRT⁺/APRTNEO ES cells, produced from APRT⁺/APRTNEO blastocysts, are electroporated with a mutant APRT gene containing one of the single point mutations (e.g. M1-M7), and Aprt⁻ ES cells are selected as above.

Mice that are APRT deficient with a genotype APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) where Mx signifies a known, inactivating mutation in APRT, are the preferred animals for detection of reverse mutation at APRT by imaging, autoradiographic means, counting of radioactivity in whole animals or individual tissues, or other monitoring devices. To produce mice that are APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) requires several intermediate steps that produce ES cells or mice with genotypes that also have individual, unique utility. See FIG. 3. One starts with pluripotent ES cells that are APRT⁺/APRTNEO (FIG. 3, step #2 or step #12), whose construction by recombination-mediated gene targeting has been described. In one embodiment, these ES cells are electroporated with APRT genes containing known mutations such as M1 through M6, described above and in Example II, to target and inactivate the lone, remaining functional APRT allele. The genotype of the correctly targeted ES cell is APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO (step #13, FIG. 3). One electroporation is carried out under conditions previously described and ES cells that are Aprt⁻ are selected in medium containing DAP or FA. Because normal MEF feeder cells are Aprt⁺ and will be adversely affected by DAP or FA, the ES cells are selected in the absence of MEF feeder cells but in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), which inhibits differentiation. After 48 to 72 hours in DAP or PA selection medium containing LIF, the Aprt⁻ cells are placed back on MEF feeder cells for further maintenance and analysis. As an alternative to selection of Aprt⁻ ES cells in the absence of feeder cells and in the presence of LIF, one can make Aprt⁻ MEFs from mice with the genotype APRTNEO/APRTNEO (step #10, mouse C, FIG. 3) as will be described. These MEF feeder cells are resistant to the effects of DAP or FA and can serve as functional feeder cells for ES cell culture.

The Aprt⁻ ES cells that arise and that are selected are of two types. Some will be correctly targeted with the mutant APRT gene (e.g. mutants M1-M6) and the others will have incurred a spontaneous, inactivating mutation in the APRT gene. These two types of events can be distinguished from one another by isolating DNA from individual, independently derived Aprt⁻ ES cell colonies and amplifying the DNA flanking and including the known mutation by PCR. Since the known mutations are designed to create or destroy a diagnostic restriction site, the amplified DNA is subjected to digestion by the diagnostic restriction enzyme, and the gain or loss of the specific sites indicates whether or not the amplified DNA is from a clone which has incurred the proper targeting event. In the case of mutants M1 through M6, the site of mutation is a splice acceptor site and also destroys a unique Pstl restriction site. Amplification of DNA flanking and including the splice site mutation produces a fragment of defined size which is not cleaved by Pstl digestion in DNA from properly targeted cells, but is cleaved by Pstl digestion in DNA from cells with a spontaneous mutation in the APRT gene. It should be recalled that the starting ES cells are heterozygous at the APRT locus (APRT⁺/APRTNEO) and that only one allele, that which is being targeted or which undergoes spontaneous mutation, will be amplified by PCR. There will be predominantly two types of cells: those correctly targeted and those with an unknown spontaneous mutation in the remaining intact APRT gene. The former are retained for injection into recipient blastocysts. The latter are characterized by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the spontaneously mutated APRT gene to determine the precise nature of the mutation. ES cells with known, characterized spontaneous mutations in the intact aprt gene are retained for injection into recipient blastocysts.

Cells that have been properly targeted or have incurred a mutation in the remaining functional aprt allele now have an APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO genotype (step #13, FIG. 3). These cells, maintained in an undifferentiated condition by culture on MEF, are injected into the blastocoele of 3.5 day post-coitum C57BL/6 blastocysts. The blastocysts are prepared, injected and implanted into surrogate mothers as previously described.

Of the mice that are born, those that have agouti patches against the black background of C57BL/6 or are predominantly agouti are chimeric (striped mice, step #15, FIG. 3). In some of the chimeric mice, a proportion of the germ cells are of 129/SV⁺+ origin which, when transmitted by mating to C57BL/6 mice (black mouse, step #16, FIG. 3), give rise to entirely agouti mice (unshaded mouse, step #17, FIG. 3). Germ cells of C57BL/6 genotype give rise to black mice (black mouse, step #17, FIG. 3). Preferably male chimeras will be mated with female C57BL/6 mice to produce a greater number of test progeny in a shorter time period than the reverse mating. Agouti mice derived from the former mating can have either an APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ or an APRTNEO/APRT⁺ genotype (unshaded mouse, step #17, FIG. 3). Mice with the APRT^(Mx) allele are detected by PCR amplification of the DNA region containing the Mx mutation, and the presence or absence of the mutation is detected by the presence or absence of the diagnostic restriction site at the position of the mutated nucleotide.

In the example of the mutant genes M1-M6, the mutations destroy a Pstl site rendering the amplified fragment from that allele insensitive to Pstl digestion. Amplification from the wild-type allele will permit digestion with Pstl. Thus 50% of the amplified DNA from mice with an APRT M1-M6/APRT⁺ genotype can be cleaved with Pstl. In mice with an APRTNEO/APRT⁺ genotype, the APRTNEO allele will not support amplification since it will not bind the primer oligonucleotides used for amplifying the mutant APRT segment. Thus, all of the amplified fragment is digested with Pstl. To confirm that the mouse does not have an APRTNEO/APRT⁺ genotype, an amplification reaction specific for amplification of an APRT/NEO fusion fragment is performed as described earlier. If the mouse has an APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ genotype, there will be no amplification. To confirm the precise nucleotide change in the APRT^(Mx) allele of APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ mice in the example of mutant genes M1-M6, the amplified, non Pstl-digested DNA is recovered from the gel by standard methods and directly sequenced in the region of the mutation. Mice with the genotype APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ are depicted in FIG. 3 (unshaded mouse D, step #18) and are sib-mated, if possible, or outbred to wild-type mice of selected strain such as 129/SV⁺/+, C57BL/6 or C3H. Sib-mating of two mice with APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ genotype (unshaded mice D₁ . . . D_(n), step #19, FIG. 3) produces offspring of which 25% are APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) (unshaded mouse E, step #20, FIG. 3). Outbreeding APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ heterozygotes (unshaded mouse, step #18, FIG. 3) produces 50% APRT⁺/APRT⁺ and 50% APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ heterozygotes. Heterozygotes (unshaded mice D₁, D₂ . . . D_(n), step #19, FIG. 3) are mated to one. another to produce offspring of which 25% are APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) homozygotes (unshaded mouse E, step #20, FIG. 3).

Homozygosity at the APRT locus, and the precise nature of the inactivating mutations, are confirmed by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing as before. Homozygous Aprt⁻ mice with an APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) genotype, where APRT^(Mx) indicates any of several specific mutant APRT alleles, such as M1 through M6, are the preferred animals for detection of reverse mutations in cells and tissues by incorporation of marked substances that are metabolized by the APRT enzyme. Detection of mutation is by whole body or whole tissue imaging, autoradiography or counting of incorporated radiolabeled precursor. Mice with APRT⁺/APRTNEO genotype (unshaded mouse A, step #7 and unshaded mouse B, step #8, FIG. 3) are the preferred animals for detection of mutation by forward mutagenesis.

For detection of mutation by reverse mutagenesis in mice with APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) genotype, mice will be treated with known or unknown mutagens, such as EMS, known promutagens such as benzo[a]pyrene, complex mixtures with unknown mutagenic capacity, other substances with unknown mutagenic capacity, or workplace or other environments with unknown mutagenic hazards. Administration may be oral, topical, by inhalation, or by injection. Substances may be applied in a single dose, continuously or intermittently. Animals being tested can be adults, juveniles, or fetuses in utero. The interval between exposure to the substance or environment, and analysis of mutagenesis can range from, for example, 24 hrs. to more than 1 year. Preferably, the interval is between one and two weeks. For detection of mutation by imaging, the animals are injected with adenine analogs that are modified to contain a non-paramagnetic nucleus. Modifications include but are not limited to incorporation of ¹³C, ²H, ³H, ¹⁹F, ⁷⁹Br or ¹⁵N into the adenine molecule. Cells with revertant APRT genes take up the modified adenine and retain it intracellularly by the addition of a ribose-phosphate to produce a modified AMP molecule that can be ultimately incorporated into nucleic acids. Modified adenine not taken up by the cells is cleared by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Thus, 24 to 48 hours after administration, cells with revertant APRT genes will be selectively marked by the modified adenine whereas other cells and body components will lack the modified adenine. Cells that are labeled and are coupled to neighboring cells by gap junctions can transmit the modified adenine to their neighbors via the gap junctions, thereby enlarging the labeled focus. An APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) animal treated in this manner can be scanned for mutations by imaging techniques.

In another embodiment, the animal can be injected with [¹⁴C] or [³H]-labeled adenine. Only those cells with revertant APRT genes have functional APRT enzyme and convert the radiolabeled adenine to radiolabeled AMP, thereby marking the revertant cells and their non-revertant neighbors to which they are coupled by gap junctions. The animals are allowed 24 hours or more to clear the radiolabeled adenine not taken up by revertant cells. They are then sacrificed and tissues removed, fixed and prepared for autoradiography. Individual radiolabeled cells and foci of radiolabeled cells are detected by silver grains in the autoradiographic photo emulsion overlying the cells.

In yet another embodiment, animals injected with radiolabeled adenine are allowed to clear the adenine and are sacrificed as above. Whole animals or individual tissues are disintegrated mechanically or by solubilization and are counted for radioactivity. The amount of radioactivity incorporated above background will be approximately proportional to the activity of a substance as a specific mutagen.

EXAMPLE II

Construction of a Mutant Mouse APRT Gene Containing a Specific Base-substitution

The cloned mouse APRT gene, contained within a 3.1 kb fragment of mouse genomic DNA inserted into the bacterial plasmid pBR328, is designated pSAM-3.1. The pSAM-3.1 is virtually identical to the pSAM-4.4 (Table II). In fact, the pSAM-3.1 is contained in its entirety in the pSAM-4.4. The differences between the two recombinant plasmids are: the pSAM-4.4 includes an additional DNA segment on the order of about 1.3 kb which is a 3′ flanking sequence distal to the polyadenylation site; and it contains 4358 nucleotides whereas the pSAM-3.1 contains 3070 nucleotides. The pSAM-3.1 begins at nucleotide 1 and ends at nucleotide 3070 in pSAM-4.4 as recited in Table II. The polyadenylation signal for the pSAM-3.1 is at nucleotides 3047-3052. The 5 exons, 4 introns and polyadenylation signal are in the same location for both and the pSAM-3.1 and the pSAM-4.4. See Dush, M. K. et al.: Nucleic Acids Research, 16(7):8509-8524 (1988), Dush, M. K. et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:2731-2735 (1985), and Sikela, J. M. et al.: Gene, 22:219-228 (1983), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The coding regions and introns of the APRT gene as well as certain 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions have been sequenced in their entirety, and contain five exons and 4 introns. See Dush et al: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:2731-2735 (1981). The nucleotide sequence at one of the intron/exon junctions is the target for mutagenesis. The sequence surrounding and including the target site is 5′ TTCCTGTCTGCAG/GCTGAG 3′, and contains a Pst 1 restriction site (indicated by dashed line above sequence). The slash mark denotes the precise RNA splice site. The AG/G sequence that forms the splice site is requisite for splicing in all mammalian systems so far studied. These three nucleotides are highly conserved at intron/exon junctions and form part of a larger but less well-conserved consensus sequence. Alteration or deletion of one of these nucleotides inhibits splice formation at that site resulting in aberrant splicing and loss of functional protein encoded by that gene. As part of this method, the G, for example, that immediately precedes the splice point is converted to an A (transition) or a T or a C (transversions). Likewise, the preceding A (2 nucleotides 5′ to the splice site) is converted to a G (transition) or a C or a T (transversion). The resulting transition or transversions have two effects. First of all, they interfere with RNA splicing, thereby blocking production of functional APRT. Secondly, they cause the loss of the Pst 1 site which serves as a useful diagnostic landmark. Regeneration of the Pst 1 by reversion site restores gene function and the Aprt⁺ phenotype.

The preferred method which produces a targeted base substitution mutation in accordance with this invention closely follows the procedure described by Wallace, R. B. et al.: Nucl. Acid Res., 9:3647-3656 (1981); and Zarucki-Schulz, T., et al.: J. Biol. Chem., 257:11070-11077 (1982), which are incorporated in their entireties herein by reference. Nevertheless, other known suitable methods can also be employed herewith. The recombinant plasmid pSAM-3.1, which contains the intact APRT gene, is first made single stranded. Covalently closed circular pSAM-3.1 DNA is incubated with EcoRI in the presence of 150 ug/ml ethidium bromide. Under these conditions, the superhelical DNA is only nicked in one strand at the EcoRI site and becomes relaxed with greater than 95% efficiency. After removal of the ethidium bromide by isoamyl alcohol extraction, the DNA is deproteinized by phenol extraction, ethanol precipitated and fractionated on an alkaline sucrose gradient to recover single-stranded circular DNA. The sample is neutralized, ethanol precipitated, and treated with E. coli exonuclease III to hydrolyze any contaminating single-stranded linear molecules. The remaining circular single-stranded pSAM-3.1 DNA serves as the template for producing the mutant gene.

The nucleotide sequence at the intron/exon junction is 5′---CTGCAG/GCT---3′ and is mutated to 5′---CTGCAA/GCT---3′ (M1) or 5′---CTGCGG/GCT---3′ (M2) or 5′---CTGCAT/GCT---3′ (M3) or 5′---CTGCAC/GCT---3′ (M4) 5′---CTGCCG/GCT---3′ (M5) or 5′---CTGCTG/GCT---3′ (M6) to produce the desired transitions or transversions. To this end, the following six octadecanucleotides 5′TCCTGTCTGCAA/GCTGAG3′, 5′TCCTGTCTGCGG/GCTGAG3′, 5′TCCTGRCTGCAT/GCTGAG3′, 5′TCCTGTCTGCAC/GCT3′, 5′TCCTGTCTGCG/GCTGAG3′, 5′TCCTGTCTGATG/GCT3′ are synthesized. Each of these oligonucleotides is complementary to the strand not shown at the splice region of interest except at the underlined nucleotide, which is the mutated site.

As an example, the oligonucleotides 5′TCCTGTCTGCAA/GCTGAG3′ and 5′TCCTGTCTGCGG/GCTGA3′ are phosphorylated at their 5′ ends with T4 polynucleotide kinase, and hybridized with closed circular single-stranded pSAM-3.1 DNA. The hybridized oligonucleotide serves as a primer which is extended upon addition of E. coli DNApolymerase 1 (Klenow fragment), the four deoxynucleoside triphophosphates and ATP. The reaction mixture, which also includes T4 DNA Ligase, is incubated at 12° for 12 hours. The product contains repaired circular double-stranded pSAM-1 DNA that has a C:A mismatch in the one case and a G:T mismatch in the second case at the respective target sites.

The repaired plasmid DNA can be used to transform E. coli MC 1061 by conventional procedures. Transformants are selected preferably by their resistance to ampicillin. In principle, 50% of the transformants carry the normal APRT gene and 50% the mutated gene. Further, techniques such as identification of transformants containing the mutant gene include, for instance, the known presence of colony hybridization. Using mutant oligonucleotide as a hybridization probe after 5′ end-labeling with gamma −[³²P] ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase, it is possible to distinguish colonies containing mutant DNA complementary to the entire length of the hybridization probe from colonies that contain non-mutated DNA.

Transformant colonies grown on nitrocellulose filters are replica plated on nitrocellulose filters. Colonies on replica filters are prepared for hybridization with the [³²P] end-labeled octadecanucleotide that is used to produce the desired base substitution. The hybridization conditions, which are nonstringent, entail incubation for 16 hours at 55° C. in 6X NET (IX NET=150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 15 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5) containing 5X Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, 250 ug/ml yeast tRNA, 0.5% nonidet NP-40 and 2 ug/ml radioactive probe. The filters are washed at 0° C. in four to six changes with 6X SSC (1XSSC=0.15M NaCl, 0.015 M Na citrate, pH 7.2), dried and exposed to XR-5 x-ray film and intensifing screen at −70° for 12 hours.

Colonies hybridizing with the probe are recovered from the master filter, expanded, and plasmid DNA prepared by conventional means. Since a colony can conceivably contain plasmids with both wild-type and mutant APRT DNA, this possibility is examined by digestion with Pst 1. The parental plasmid pSAM-1 has two Pst 1 sites, one in the vector and the second at the target splice junction. Digestion with Pst 1 generates two fragments, 2.7 kb and 3.5 kb in length. Plasmid containing mutant APRT DNA lacks the second site and yields only the linear 6.2 kb fragment upon Pst 1 digestion. Should colonies contain a mixture of wild-type and mutant plasmid DNAs, a second round of transformation with isolated plasmid DNA and rescreening of colonies should be performed as above to separate parental from mutant plasmids. As a final precaution, the nucleotide sequence containing the targeted site of the mutated gene is determined to ensure that only the desired mutation is introduced.

The mutations introduced into the pSAM3.1 plasmid are transferred to plasmid pSAM4.4 by cassette mutagenesis to produce a targeting vector with longer stretches of homology than pSAM3.1. As an example, mutants M1-M6 reside at positions 2486 and 2487 of pSAM3.1 and pSAM4.4, and are contained on a BamHl restriction fragment that extends from position 1983 to 2981 (see Table II). The wild-type APRT BamHl fragment from pSAM4.4 is removed and replaced with the BamHl fragment from mutant pSAM3.1, which is identical except for the individual mutations M1 through M6 at positions 2486 and 2487. The mutant APRT gene is separated from the vector after digestion with EcoRl and partial digestion with HindIII, which releases a 4.4 kb fragment, or after complete Xmnl digestion which releases a 3.6 kb fragment. The mutant APRT DNA is electroporated into APRT⁺/APRTNEO ES cells (as described earlier), and APRT cells are selected in DAP or FA (as described above). Targeted ES cells with an APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO genotype are distinguished from cells that become APRT by spontaneous mutation by Southern blot (as described earlier), and cloned APRT^(Mx)/APRTNEO ES cells are injected into host C57BL/6 3.5 day blastocysts as before. These are then implanted into the uterus of a pseudopregnant female to produce germline chimeric mice as described above. After mating to wild-type mice, transgenic progeny of germline chimeras will produce mice, 50% of which will have an APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ genotype. Mice with an APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) are produced by sib-mating (see FIG. 3). Mice with an APRT^(Mx)/APRT^(Mx) genotype are used as tester mice for reverse mutation, and mice with an APRT^(Mx)/APRT⁺ genotype are used as testers for forward mutation.

While the base substitution mutations of this Example II are produced by oligonucleotide site specific mutagenesis, it should be understood to those of skill in the art that such mutations can be produced by other known techniques, such as by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, as disclosed in Bowman, et al.: Technique—J. Methods and Cell and Molecular Biology, 2:254-260 (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. For example, the present invention also applies to those ES cells or nonhuman animals which are nonfunctional hemizygous as a consequence of having one reporter gene deleted, spontaneously or intentionally, or functionally hemizygous as a consequence of X chromosome linkage. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive and any changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are to be embraced therein.

21 2529 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(67..204, 278..1091) 1 CCGGGATTGA CGTGAGTTTA GCGTGCTGAT ACCTACCTCC TCCCTGCCTC CTACACGCAC 60 GCGGCC ATG TCG GAA CCT GAG TTG AAA CTG GTG GCG CGG CGC ATC CGC 108 Met Ser Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys Leu Val Ala Arg Arg Ile Arg 1 5 10 GTC TTC CCC GAC TTC CCA ATC CCG GGC GTG CTG TTC AGG TGC GGT CAC 156 Val Phe Pro Asp Phe Pro Ile Pro Gly Val Leu Phe Arg Cys Gly His 15 20 25 30 GAG CCG GCG AGG CGT TGG CGC TGT ACG CTC ATC CCC CGG CGC AGG CGG 204 Glu Pro Ala Arg Arg Trp Arg Cys Thr Leu Ile Pro Arg Arg Arg Arg 35 40 45 TAGGCAGCCT CGGGGATCTT GCGGGGCCTC TGCCCGGCCA CACGCGGGTC ACTCTCCTGT 264 CCTTGTTCCT AGG GAT GCT GCA GCC AAT ATG GGA TCG GCC ATT GAA CAA 313 Asp Ala Ala Ala Asn Met Gly Ser Ala Ile Glu Gln 50 55 GAT GGA TTG CAC GCA GGT TCT CCG GCC GCT TGG GTG GAG AGG CTA TTC 361 Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp Val Glu Arg Leu Phe 60 65 70 GGC TAT GAC TGG GCA CAA CAG ACA ATC GGC TGC TCT GAT GCC GCC GTG 409 Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys Ser Asp Ala Ala Val 75 80 85 90 TTC CGG CTG TCA GCG CAG GGG CGC CCG GTT CTT TTT GTC AAG ACC GAC 457 Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Pro Val Leu Phe Val Lys Thr Asp 95 100 105 CTG TCC GGT GCC CTG AAT GAA CTG CAG GAC GAG GCA GCG CGG CTA TCG 505 Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu Ser 110 115 120 TGG CTG GCC ACG ACG GGC GTT CCT TGC GCA GCT GTG CTC GAC GTT GTC 553 Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Ala Ala Val Leu Asp Val Val 125 130 135 ACT GAA GCG GGA AGG GAC TGG CTG CTA TTG GGC GAA GTG CCG GGG CAG 601 Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly Glu Val Pro Gly Gln 140 145 150 GAT CTC CTG TCA TCT CAC CTT GCT CCT GCC GAG AAA GTA TCC ATC ATG 649 Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Lys Val Ser Ile Met 155 160 165 170 GCT GAT GCA ATG CGG CGG CTG CAT ACG CTT GAT CCG GCT ACC TGC CCA 697 Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg Leu His Thr Leu Asp Pro Ala Thr Cys Pro 175 180 185 TTC GAC CAC CAA GCG AAA CAT CGC ATC GAG CGA GCA CGT ACT CGG ATG 745 Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys His Arg Ile Glu Arg Ala Arg Thr Arg Met 190 195 200 GAA GCC GGT CTT GTC GAT CAG GAT GAT CTG GAC GAA GAG CAT CAG GGG 793 Glu Ala Gly Leu Val Asp Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp Glu Glu His Gln Gly 205 210 215 CTC GCG CCA GCC GAA CTG TTC GCC AGG CTC AAG GCG CGC ATG CCC GAC 841 Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys Ala Arg Met Pro Asp 220 225 230 GGC GAG GAT CTC GTC GTG ACC CAT GGC GAT GCC TGC TTG CCG AAT ATC 889 Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val Thr His Gly Asp Ala Cys Leu Pro Asn Ile 235 240 245 250 ATG GTG GAA AAT GGC CGC TTT TCT GGA TTC ATC GAC TGT GGC CGG CTG 937 Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile Asp Cys Gly Arg Leu 255 260 265 GGT GTG GCG GAC CGC TAT CAG GAC ATA GCG TTG GCT ACC CGT GAT ATT 985 Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu Ala Thr Arg Asp Ile 270 275 280 GCT GAA GAG CTT GGC GGC GAA TGG GCT GAC CGC TTC CTC GTG CTT TAC 1033 Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg Phe Leu Val Leu Tyr 285 290 295 GGT ATC GCC GCT CCC GAT TCG CAG CGC ATC GCC TTC TAT CGC CTT CTT 1081 Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala Phe Tyr Arg Leu Leu 300 305 310 GAC GAG TTCTTCTGAG GGGATCGGCA ATAAAAAGAC AGAATAAAAC GCACGGGTGT 1137 Asp Glu Phe 315 TGGGTCGTTT GTTCGGATCC TTGTACTTTG TACACGTCCC ACACACCCTG GAGCATAGCA 1197 GAGCTGTGCT ACTGGAGATC AATAAACCGT TTTGATATGC ATGCCTGCTT CTCCTCAGTT 1257 TGTTGCATGG GTCACATTCC AGGCCTCCAG AGCGATACTA CAGGGACAAG GGGGCTCAGG 1317 TGGGAACCCA TAGGCTCAGC TTTGTATTGA AGCCACAACC CCTACTAGGG AGCAGATGTT 1377 ATCTCTGTCA GTCTCTGAGG CAGCTGACTA CATAAACAGG TTTATTGCTT CACTGTTCTA 1437 GGCCTGTTAT TCCATTAGGA TGGACGAGGA TGAAGCAGTG ACCCACAGCC ACTATATTTT 1497 TTTCTGTTGT TTGTCGAGAT GGGGTTTCTT AATATAACCA GCCCTGGCTA TTCTGGACTT 1557 GATTTGTAGC CCAGGCTGGC CTCAAACTTA AGAGGTCCAC TGCCTCTGCT TCTTGAGTGC 1617 TGGGATCAAA GTACGCACCG CAACACCCAG TTCACAGTCA CTATCTCAAA AAAGCTATTT 1677 TGTTGCAGGG CATGGTGTAT AGACCTTTAA TCCTAGTGCC TTGAAGGTAG GCAGGCTGTT 1737 AAAATTCAAG GCCAACCTGG CTATATAGTT CCAAGGAGAG CCAGAGCTTT TAGAAAAAAT 1797 AAAAATTTAA AAAATATATA TCAAGCCAGG CATGGTGGCA CACACCTTTG ATCCCAGCAC 1857 TTGGGAGGCA GAGGCAGGGC GGATTTCTGA TCTACAGAAT GAGTTCCAGG ACAACCAGTT 1917 CTACAGAGAA ACCCTGTCTC AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAATCAC ATTCTGGGGA AGTGGGTGTT 1977 GGGGAAAGAG GGGGATGGGA GAGAGCCTGC GTCCCACCAG AGTTCTGGTG CTCCAGGAGG 2037 CTGGATACTT TTCACACTGC CCCAGTGTGA GGCTATCTGG CATGATGTTA AGCCAGTCTC 2097 CGGCACCCCA CACTGGATAT GGTGGAGGAG CTGAGAACAT AATAGGGACC CGGGCAGAAG 2157 GAAAGAGAGG GGGGGGAAGG GAGGGGTGCT GGGTGGAGTC CTTAGTCTGG TCCATGGCTG 2217 CAGCGTAGGA AGCCTTCTGG CAGGTTAAAA GTGCTCATTA GGAGAGCCTA TCCGATCATC 2277 ATTCAAACAC GGTGGGCCTT CATGATCAGA GACAGTCTAT GGTTTTAGAG CTTTATTGTA 2337 GAAAGGGAAG GAGAAAGAGA AGGTAGAAGG ACAGCCATGG CCACGTGGAG AGAGGGGGGA 2397 AGGGAAAGAG AAAAAAAGCC AGAGAGCTTA AGAGAGCGAG GAGGGGCCAA ACATCCCCTT 2457 ATAGTGGGCT TTGCCATCTT GCTGTTGCTA GGTAACTGTG GGAAGGGAGT CTAGCCAGAA 2517 TGCCAGAAGC TT 2529 317 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 2 Met Ser Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys Leu Val Ala Arg Arg Ile Arg Val Phe 1 5 10 15 Pro Asp Phe Pro Ile Pro Gly Val Leu Phe Arg Cys Gly His Glu Pro 20 25 30 Ala Arg Arg Trp Arg Cys Thr Leu Ile Pro Arg Arg Arg Arg Asp Ala 35 40 45 Ala Ala Asn Met Gly Ser Ala Ile Glu Gln Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly 50 55 60 Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp Val Glu Arg Leu Phe Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln 65 70 75 80 Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys Ser Asp Ala Ala Val Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln 85 90 95 Gly Arg Pro Val Leu Phe Val Lys Thr Asp Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn 100 105 110 Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu Ser Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly 115 120 125 Val Pro Cys Ala Ala Val Leu Asp Val Val Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp 130 135 140 Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly Glu Val Pro Gly Gln Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His 145 150 155 160 Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Lys Val Ser Ile Met Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg 165 170 175 Leu His Thr Leu Asp Pro Ala Thr Cys Pro Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys 180 185 190 His Arg Ile Glu Arg Ala Arg Thr Arg Met Glu Ala Gly Leu Val Asp 195 200 205 Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp Glu Glu His Gln Gly Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu 210 215 220 Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys Ala Arg Met Pro Asp Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val 225 230 235 240 Thr His Gly Asp Ala Cys Leu Pro Asn Ile Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg 245 250 255 Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile Asp Cys Gly Arg Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr 260 265 270 Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu Ala Thr Arg Asp Ile Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly 275 280 285 Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg Phe Leu Val Leu Tyr Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp 290 295 300 Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala Phe Tyr Arg Leu Leu Asp Glu Phe 305 310 315 4358 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown 3 GAATTCATGC TCACGGGCTC ACAGGAAGGT CCAAGAAGGA ATGTTTAGAA TCCATTGGAC 60 CCTCCCCACA CCCTCTCCTT TGATGGAGCA TGGGCCAATT TGGAGGATAT CTTTTGAGTA 120 ATTGCAACTG CACTGAAGAT GATAATGGCC ATTATACTCA GAGGACAGTC TTTCCACACC 180 ACTACCTATA GACCCAAGTA CTGTGCTGGG AAGGTAGAAC CCCAGTTCTG TCTCTGGCTA 240 TCAGGACCTT CTGGTTCCAC CCCAAAACGA GGAGGGCACA TTCTGTTGCA ATGCACAGGA 300 GTGTCTGTGG TCTCAGAGAA GGCATTCCTT ACCCGCCCTG CTACCCTGCT TTCCCCTGCG 360 CTCTAGCCCA CACACAGTGC ACTCCCACCT CTGGACCTAA GACTATCCAT CAGCTCCCTT 420 CCGGGCTAAT TCCAGGAAAG CAGGGGCTGA ATCTCAGGCC CCTTGTACTA TGCGCGAGGG 480 AAGGAACGCA AGGCCAAACC ACTCCAGCGG ACCTGGGCAA GACCCGTCCC TGCTCCCCCA 540 GGTCCAGAAG ACTAGCCCCT GGAAAAGCAG GACTGAAAAA GCGTGTGTGG GGCAAAACCA 600 AAAAAGGATG GACATCGCAC ATCCCCTTTC CACCCATATA TCTTTGAGGT AGGGATGCTT 660 GTGTTTAGGC AGCTCAAGAA ATCTAACCCC TGACTCAGGC CCCACACACA CCTCGCAGAG 720 GCCCCGCCTC TCAGCCTGTC CCGCCCCTCG TGCTAGACCA ACCCGCACCC AGAAGCCCCG 780 CCCATCGAGG ACGCTCCGCC CTTGTTCCCC CCGGGATTGA CGTGAGTTTA GCGTGCTGAT 840 ACCTACCTCC TCCCTGCCTC CTACACGCAC GCGGCCATGT CGGAACCTGA GTTGAAACTG 900 GTGGCGCGGC GCATCCGCGT CTTCCCCGAC TTCCCAATCC CGGGCGTGCT GTTCAGGTGC 960 GGTCACGAGC CGGCGAGGCG TTGGCGCTGT ACGCTCATCC CCCGGCGCAG GCGGTAGGCA 1020 GCCTCGGGGA TCTTGCGGGG CCTCTGCCCG GCCACACGCG GGTCACTCTC CTGTCCTTGT 1080 TCCTAGGGAT ATCTCGCCCC TCTTGAAAGA CCCGGACTCC TTCCGAGCTT CCATCCGCCT 1140 CTTGGCCAGT CACCTGAAGT CCACGCACAG CGGCAAGATC GACTACATCG CAGGCGAGTG 1200 GCCTTGCTAG GTCGTGCTCG TCCCCCACGG TCCTAGCCCC TATCCCCTTT CCCCCTCGTG 1260 TCACCCACAG TCTGCCCCAC ACCCATCCAT TCTTCTTCGA CCTCTGACAC TTCCTCCTTG 1320 GTTCCTCACT GCCTTGGACG CTTGTTCACC CTGGATGAAC TATGTAGGAG TCTCCCTTCC 1380 CTGCTAGGTA CCCTAAGGCA TCTGCCCTCG GTGCTTGTTC CTAGAGACGA ACTCTGCTCT 1440 GTCCTTGTGT CCAGAACCAG GCCTCCCTCT TTTAGGGCAC AAAGCTGGCC AGCATCCTGA 1500 CAGCAGGCTG GGAGACCCTG GAACCTCCAG ATGACGGACA TCCTTGCTTA GGGGTAGCCT 1560 CTGGGATGAA CTAGATACTA AAAATTAGGT AACCTTGGTT GGGCGTGGCG TGCCTGGGCA 1620 GACCTCAAGC CTGGTAGCTT CAGGGGCTGT TTCTCCCCAG GACTACACCG GGGCATCTTT 1680 CTCTTGTTCC CTCACACAAG CTTGTGTTAA ACAACTGCTG TCTACTTGGC TCCATGCCTG 1740 AGCTTGAGAA ACACCCTAGG ACAGCTGAAT GTCCACCAGG AGTGTCCAGA GGGAGGGTGG 1800 GCACCCCAGA GAACAGAGTG GCCTTGGTAA GTGCTCGGGG ACCACAGACT TTGCCACTTC 1860 ACTTCCTATT GGTACCCTTG GCCATGCTCC AGAAATTAGG GCATGTATGT ATCCTTCCCA 1920 CGACAGCTAG ATGCTGCATT TGAAGGTGGC AAGACCACCA TAGGTGGCCC TGAGCTGTTC 1980 AGAAGGCAGG TAGGATCCCC AAGGCTGAGA TGATGAGTTG ATGGCTACCC AGTAGCCATC 2040 AACGTTCTTC TAACCGTAGT CAGCAAGACC TAGTGTTCCT AGCAAGTGTT GACCTCGCCC 2100 ATACTTGGCC TCTAGATTCC CATGCCCCTC AGCTCCATCC CACAACCTTC CCTCCTTACC 2160 CTAACAGGTC TAGACTCCAG GGGCTTCCTG TTTGGCCCTT CCCTAGCTCA GGAGCTGGGC 2220 GTGGGCTGTG TGCTCATCCG GAAACAGGGG AAGCTGCCGG GCCCCACTGT GTCAGCCTCC 2280 TATTCTCTGG AGTATGGGAA GGTAAGCGAG CTGTGTGTAG AGGAAGGGCA GGGTCTTATC 2340 ACGGCTACCA GTGTCTAGGA GTAAATGTGG GTGCTCAGAG AGGTTGAGAC ATTGGGTCAG 2400 GTTTACACCA CCCAGAAACG CTCGAGCCTA GGGAGGTGGC CACTTGTTCG CGCCTAGACT 2460 CTGTCTTACA CTACTTCCTG TCTGCAGGCT GAGCTGGAAA TCCAGAAAGA TGCCTTGGAA 2520 CCCGGGCAGA GAGTGGTCAT TGTGGATGAC CTCCTGGCCA CAGGAGGTAA AGAACCAACC 2580 CAAGACAAAC AGACTTCAAA GGGCCAGACC CTGTCCTGGG TGCTGACTAA GCAAAGAGCT 2640 TGAACACCTC CTCTTTCTCT GTCCCTTCCC CCCAGGAACC ATGTTTGCGG CCTGTGACCT 2700 GCTGCACCAG CTCCGGGCTG AAGTGGTGGA GTGTGTGAGC CTGGTGGAGC TGACCTCGCT 2760 GAAGGGCAGG GAGAGGCTAG GACCTATACC ATTCTTCTCT CTCCTCCAGT ATGACTGAGG 2820 AGCTGGCTAG ATGGTCACAC CCCTGCTCCC AGCAGCACTA GGAACTGCTT GGTGGCTCAG 2880 CCTAGGCGCC TAAGTGACCT TTGTGAGCTA CCGGCCGCCC TTTTGTGAGT GTTATCACTC 2940 ATTCCTTTGG TCAGCTGATC CGCCGTGCCT GTGGACCCCT GGATCCTTGT ACTTTGTACA 3000 CGTCCCACAC ACCCTGGAGC ATAGCAGAGC TGTGCTACTG GAGATCAATA AACCGTTTTG 3060 ATATGCATGC CTGCTTCTCC TCAGTTTGTT GCATGGGTCA CATTCCAGGC CTCCAGAGCG 3120 ATACTACAGG GACAAGGGGG CTCAGGTGGG AACCCATAGG CTCAGCTTTG TATTGAAGCC 3180 ACAACCCCTA CTAGGGAGCA GATGTTATCT CTGTCAGTCT CTGAGGCAGC TGACTACATA 3240 AACAGGTTTA TTGCTTCACT GTTCTAGGCC TGTTATTCCA TTAGGATGGA CGAGGATGAA 3300 GCAGTGACCC ACAGCCACTA TATTTTTTTC TGTTGTTTGT CGAGATGGGG TTTCTTAATA 3360 TAACCAGCCC TGGCTATTCT GGACTTGATT TGTAGCCCAG GCTGGCCTCA AACTTAAGAG 3420 GTCCACTGCC TCTGCTTCTT GAGTGCTGGG ATCAAAGTAC GCACCGCAAC ACCCAGTTCA 3480 CAGTCACTAT CTCAAAAAAG CTATTTTGTT GCAGGGCATG GTGTATAGAC CTTTAATCCT 3540 AGTGCCTTGA AGGTAGGCAG GCTGTTAAAA TTCAAGGCCA ACCTGGCTAT ATAGTTCCAA 3600 GGAGAGCCAG AGCTTTTAGA AAAAATAAAA ATTTAAAAAA TATATATCAA GCCAGGCATG 3660 GTGGCACACA CCTTTGATCC CAGCACTTGG GAGGCAGAGG CAGGGCGGAT TTCTGATCTA 3720 CAGAATGAGT TCCAGGACAA CCAGTTCTAC AGAGAAACCC TGTCTCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA 3780 AATCACATTC TGGGGAAGTG GGTGTTGGGG AAAGAGGGGG ATGGGAGAGA GCCTGCGTCC 3840 CACCAGAGTT CTGGTGCTCC AGGAGGCTGG ATACTTTTCA CACTGCCCCA GTGTGAGGCT 3900 ATCTGGCATG ATGTTAAGCC AGTCTCCGGC ACCCCACACT GGATATGGTG GAGGAGCTGA 3960 GAACATAATA GGGACCCGGG CAGAAGGAAA GAGAGGGGGG GGAAGGGAGG GGTGCTGGGT 4020 GGAGTCCTTA GTCTGGTCCA TGGCTGCAGC GTAGGAAGCC TTCTGGCAGG TTAAAAGTGC 4080 TCATTAGGAG AGCCTATCCG ATCATCATTC AAACACGGTG GGCCTTCATG ATCAGAGACA 4140 GTCTATGGTT TTAGAGCTTT ATTGTAGAAA GGGAAGGAGA AAGAGAAGGT AGAAGGACAG 4200 CCATGGCCAC GTGGAGAGAG GGGGGAAGGG AAACACAAAA AAACCCAGAG AGCTTAAGAG 4260 AGCGAGGAGG GGCCAAACAT CCCCTTATAG TGGGCTTTGC CATCTTGCTG TTGCTAGGTA 4320 ACTGTGGGAA GGGAGTCTAG CCAGAATGCC AGAAGCTT 4358 5363 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(1087..1188, 3247..3306, 3493..3570) 4 GAATTCATGC TCACGGGCTC ACAGGAAGGT CCAAGAAGGA ATGTTTAGAA TCCATTGGAC 60 CCTCCCCACA CCCTCTCCTT TGATGGAGCA TGGGCCAATT TGGAGGATAT CTTTTGAGTA 120 ATTGCAACTG CACTGAAGAT GATAATGGCC ATTATACTCA GAGGACAGTC TTTCCACACC 180 ACTACCTATA GACCCAAGTA CTGTGCTGGG AAGGTAGAAC CCCAGTTCTG TCTCTGGCTA 240 TCAGGACCTT CTGGTTCCAC CCCAAAACGA GGAGGGCACA TTCTGTTGCA ATGCACAGGA 300 GTGTCTGTGG TCTCAGAGAA GGCATTCCTT ACCCGCCCTG CTACCCTGCT TTCCCCTGCG 360 CTCTAGCCCA CACACAGTGC ACTCCCACCT CTGGACCTAG ACTATCCATC AGCTCCCTTC 420 CGGTAATTTC AGGAAAGCAG GGGCTGAATC TCAGGCCCTT GTACTATGCG CGAGGGAAGG 480 AACGCAAGGC CAAACCACTC CAGCGGACCT GGGCAAGACC CGTCCCTGCT CCCCCAGGTC 540 CAGAAGACTA GCCCCTGGAA AAGCAGGACT GAAAAAGCGT GTGTGGGGCA AAACCAAAAA 600 AGGATGGACA TCGCACATCC CCTTTCCACC CATATATCTT TGAGGTAGGG ATGCTTGTGT 660 TTAGGCAGCT CAAGAAATCT AACCCCTGAC TCAGGCCCCA CACACACCTC GCAGAGGCCC 720 CGCCTCTCAG CCTGTCCCGC CCCTCGTGCT AGACCAACCC GCACCCAGAA GCCCCGCCCA 780 TCGAGGACGC TCCGCCCTTG TTCCCCCCGG GATTGACGTG AGTTTAGCGT GCTGATACCT 840 ACCTCCTCCC TGCCTCCTAC ACGCACGCGG CCATGTCGGA ACCTGAGTTG AAACTGGTGG 900 CGCGGCGCAT CCGCGTCTTC CCCGACTTCC CAATCCCGGG CGTGCTGTTC AGGTGCGGTC 960 ACGAGCCGGC GAGGCGTTGG CGCTGTACGC TCATCCCCCG GCGCAGGCGG TAGGCAGCCT 1020 CGGGGATCTT GCGGGGCCTC TGCCCGGCCA CACGCGGGTC ACTCTCCTGT CCTTGTTCCT 1080 AGGGAT ATC TCG CCC CTC TTG AAA GAC CCG GAC TCC TTC CGA GCT TCC 1128 Ile Ser Pro Leu Leu Lys Asp Pro Asp Ser Phe Arg Ala Ser 1 5 10 ATC CGC CTC TTG GCC AGT CAC CTG AAG TCC ACG CAC AGC GGC AAG ATC 1176 Ile Arg Leu Leu Ala Ser His Leu Lys Ser Thr His Ser Gly Lys Ile 15 20 25 30 GAC TAC ATC GCA GGCGAGTGGC CTTGCTAGGT CGTGCTCGTC CCCCACGGTC 1228 Asp Tyr Ile Ala CTAGCCCCTA TCCCCTTTCC CCCTCGTGTC ACCCACAGTC TGCCCCACAC CCATCCATTC 1288 TTCTTCGACC TCTGACACTT CCTCCTTGGT TCCTCACTGC CTTGGACGCT TGTTCACCCT 1348 GGATGAACTA TGTAGGAGTC TCCCTTCCCT GCTAGGTACC CTAAGGCATC TGCCCTCGGT 1408 GCTTGTTCCT AGAGACGAAC TCTGCTCTGT CCTTGTGTCC AGAACCAGGC CTCCCTCTTT 1468 TAGGGCACAA AGCTGGCCAG CATCCTGACA GCAGGCTGGG AGACCCTGGA ACCTCCAGAT 1528 GACGGACATC CTTGCTTAGG GGTAGCCTCT GGGATGAACT AGATACTAAA AATTAGGTAA 1588 CCTTGGTTGG GCGTGGCGTG CCTGGGCAGA CCTCAAGCCT GGTAGCTTCA GGGGCTGTTT 1648 CTCCCCAGGA CTACACCGGG GCATCTTTCT CTTGTTCCCT CACACAAGCT TGTGTTAAAC 1708 AACTGCTGTC TACTTGGCTC CATGCCTGAG CTTGAGAAAC ACCCTAGGAC AGCTGAATGT 1768 CCACCAGGAG TGTCCAGAGG GAGGGTGGGC ACCCCAGAGA ACAGAGTGGC CTTGGTAAGT 1828 GCTCGGGGAC CACAGACTTT GCCACTTCAC TTCCTATTGG TACCCTTGGC CATGCTCCAG 1888 AAATTAGGGC ATGTATGTAT CCTTCCCACG ACAGCTAGAT GCTGCATTTG AAGGTGGCAA 1948 GACCACCATA GGTGGCCCTG AGCTGTTCAG AAGGCAGGTA GGATCCCCAA GGCTGAGATG 2008 ATGAGTTGAT GGCTACCCAG TAGCCATCAA CGTTCTTCTA ACCGTAGTCA GCAAGACCTA 2068 GTGTTCCTAG CAAGTGTTGA CCTCGCCCAT ACTTGGCCTC TAGATTCCCA TGCCCCTCAG 2128 CTCCATCCCA CAACCTTCCC TCCTTACCCT AACAGGTCTA GACTCCAGGG GCTTCCTGTT 2188 TGGCCCTTCC CTAGCTCAGG AGCTGGGCGT GGGCTGTGTG CTCATCCGGG ATCTGATCAA 2248 GAGACAGGAT GAGGATCGTT TCGCATGATT GAACAAGATG GATTGCACGC AGGTTCTCCG 2308 GCCGCTTGGG TGGAGAGGCT ATTCGGCTAT GACTGGGCAC AACAGACAAT CGGCTGCTCT 2368 GATGCCGCCG TGTTCCGGCT GTCAGCGCAG GGGCGCCCGG TTCTTTTTGT CAAGACCGAC 2428 CTGTCCGGTG CCCTGAATGA ACTGCAGGAC GAGGCAGCGC GGCTATCGTG GCTGGCCACG 2488 ACGGGCGTTC CTTGCGCAGC TGTGCTCGAC GTTGTCACTG AAGCGGGAAG GGACTGGCTG 2548 CTATTGGGCG AAGTGCCGGG GCAGGATCTC CTGTCATCTC ACCTTGCTCC TGCCGAGAAA 2608 GTATCCATCA TGGCTGATGC AATGCGGCGG CTGCATACGC TTGATCCGGC TACCTGCCCA 2668 TTCGACCACC AAGCGAAACA TCGCATCGAG CGAGCACGTA CTCGGATGGA AGCCGGTCTT 2728 GTCGATCAGG ATGATCTGGA CGAAGAGCAT CAGGGGCTCG CGCCAGCCGA ACTGTTCGCC 2788 AGGCTCAAGG CGCGCATGCC CGACGGCGAG GATCTCGTCG TGACCCATGG CGATGCCTGC 2848 TTGCCGAATA TCATGGTGGA AAATGGCCGC TTTTCTGGAT TCATCGACTG TGGCCGGCTG 2908 GGTGTGGCGG ACCGCTATCA GGACATAGCG TTGGCTACCC GTGATATTGC TGAAGAGCTT 2968 GGCGGCGAAT GGGCTGACCG CTTCCTCGTG CTTTACGGTA TCGCCGCTCC CGATTCGCAG 3028 CGCATCGCCT TCTATCGCCT TCTTGACGAG TTCTTCTGAG CGGGACTCTG GGGTTCGAAA 3088 TGACCGACCA AGCGACGCCC AACCTGCCAT CACGAGATTT CGATTCCACC GCCGCCTTCT 3148 ATGAAAGGTT GGGCTTCGGA ATCGTTTTCC GGGACGCCGG CTGGATGATC CTCCAGCGCG 3208 GGGATCTCAT GCTGGAGTTC TTCGCCCACC CCGGCCGG AAA CAG GGG AAG CTG 3261 Lys Gln Gly Lys Leu 35 CCG GGC CCC ACT GTG TCA GCC TCC TAT TCT CTG GAG TAT GGG AAG 3306 Pro Gly Pro Thr Val Ser Ala Ser Tyr Ser Leu Glu Tyr Gly Lys 40 45 50 GTAAGCGAGC TGTGTGTAGA GGAAGGGCAG GGTCTTATCA CGGCTACCAG TGTCTAGGAG 3366 TAAATGTGGG TGCTCAGAGA GGTTGAGACA TTGGGTCAGG TTTACACCAC CCAGAAACGC 3426 TCGAGCCTAG GGAGGTGGCC ACTTGTTCGC GCCTAGACTC TGTCTTACAC TACTTCCTGT 3486 CTGCAG GCT GAG CTG GAA ATC CAG AAA GAT GCC TTG GAA CCC GGG CAG 3534 Ala Glu Leu Glu Ile Gln Lys Asp Ala Leu Glu Pro Gly Gln 55 60 65 AGA GTG GTC ATT GTG GAT GAC CTC CTG GCC ACA GGA GGTAAAGAAC 3580 Arg Val Val Ile Val Asp Asp Leu Leu Ala Thr Gly 70 75 80 CAACCCAAGA CAAACAGACT TCAAAGGGCC AGACCCTGTC CTGGGTGCTG ACTAAGCAAA 3640 GAGCTTGAAC ACCTCCTCCT TCTCTGTCCC TTCCCCCCAG GAACCATGTT TGCGGCCTGT 3700 GACCTGCTGC ACCAGCTCCG GGCTGAAGTG GTGGAGTGTG TGAGCCTGGT GGAGCTGACC 3760 TCGCTGAAGG GCAGGGAGAG GCTAGGACCT ATACCATTCT TCTCTCTCCT CCAGTATGAC 3820 TGAGGAGCTG GCTAGATGGT CACACCCCTG CTCCCAGCAG CACTAGGAAC TGCTTGGTGG 3880 CTCAGCCTAG GCGCCTAAGT GACCTTTGTG AGCTACCGGC CGCCCTTTTG TGAGTGTTAT 3940 CACTCATTCC TTTGGTCAGC TGATCCGCCG TGCCTGTGGA CCCCTGGATC CTTGTACTTT 4000 GTACACGTGC CACACACCCT GGAGCATAGC AGAGCTGTGC TACTGGAGAT CAATAAACCG 4060 TTTTGATATG CATGCCTGCT TCTCCTCAGT TTGTTGCATG GGTCACATTC CAGGCCTCCA 4120 GAGCGATACT ACAGGGACAA GGGGGCTCAG GTGGGAACCC ATAGGCTCAG CTTTGTATTG 4180 AAGCCACAAC CCCTACTAGG GAGCAGATGT TATCTCTGTC AGTCTCTGAG GCAGCTGACT 4240 ACATAAACAG GTTTATTGCT TCACTGTTCT AGGCCTGTTA TTCCATTAGG ATGGACGAGG 4300 ATGAAGCAGT GACCCACAGC CACTATATTT TTTTCTGTTG TTTGTCGAGA TGGGGTTTCT 4360 TAATATAACC AGCCCTGGCT ATTCTGGACT TGATTTGTAG CCCAGGCTGG CCTCAAACTT 4420 AAGAGGTCCA CTGCCTCTGC TTCTTGAGTG CTGGGATCAA AGTACGCACC GCAACACCCA 4480 GTTCACAGTC ACTATCTCAA AAAAGCTATT TTGTTGCAGG GCATGGTGTA TAGACCTTTA 4540 ATCCTAGTGC CTTGAAGGTA GGCAGGCTGT TAAAATTCAA GGCCAACCTG GCTATATAGT 4600 TCCAAGGAGA GCCAGAGCTT TTAGAAAAAA TAAAAATTTA AAAAATATAT ATCAAGCCAG 4660 GCATGGTGGC ACACACCTTT GATCCCAGCA CTTGGGAGGC AGAGGCAGGG CGGATTTCTG 4720 ATCTACAGAA TGAGTTCCAG GACAACCAGT TCTACAGAGA AACCCTGTCT CAAAAAAAAA 4780 AAAAAAATCA CATTCTGGGG AAGTGGGTGT TGGGGAAAGA GGGGGATGGG AGAGAGCCTG 4840 CGTCCCACCA GAGTTCTGGT GCTCCAGGAG GCTGGATACT TTTCACACTG CCCCAGTGTG 4900 AGGCTATCTG GCATGATGTT AAGCCAGTCT CCGGCACCCC ACACTGGATA TGGTGGAGGA 4960 GCTGAGAACA TAATAGGGAC CCGGGCAGAA GGAAAGAGAG GGGGGGGAAG GGAGGGGTGC 5020 TGGGTGGAGT CCTTAGTCTG GTCCATGGCT GCAGCGTAGG AAGCCTTCTG GCAGGTTAAA 5080 AGTGCTCATT AGGAGAGCCT ATCCGATCAT CATTCAAACA CGGTGGGCCT TCATGATCAG 5140 AGACAGTCTA TGGTTTTAGA GCTTTATTGT AGAAAGGGAA GGAGAAAGAG AAGGTAGAAG 5200 GACAGCCATG GCCACGTGGA GAGAGGGGGG AAGGGAAAGA GAAAAAAAGC CAGAGAGCTT 5260 AAGAGAGCGA GGAGGGGCCA AACATCCCCT TATAGTGGGC TTTGCCATCT TGCTGTTGCT 5320 AGGTAACTGT GGGAAGGGAG TCTAGCCAGA ATGCCAGAAG CTT 5363 80 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 5 Ile Ser Pro Leu Leu Lys Asp Pro Asp Ser Phe Arg Ala Ser Ile Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Ala Ser His Leu Lys Ser Thr His Ser Gly Lys Ile Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Ile Ala Lys Gln Gly Lys Leu Pro Gly Pro Thr Val Ser Ala Ser Tyr 35 40 45 Ser Leu Glu Tyr Gly Lys Ala Glu Leu Glu Ile Gln Lys Asp Ala Leu 50 55 60 Glu Pro Gly Gln Arg Val Val Ile Val Asp Asp Leu Leu Ala Thr Gly 65 70 75 80 5363 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(2163..2201, 2273..3064, 3680..3823) /note= “Seq Id No 6 represents the DNA sequence corresponding to Seq Id No 4 showing the second peptide coded for therein.” 6 GAATTCATGC TCACGGGCTC ACAGGAAGGT CCAAGAAGGA ATGTTTAGAA TCCATTGGAC 60 CCTCCCCACA CCCTCTCCTT TGATGGAGCA TGGGCCAATT TGGAGGATAT CTTTTGAGTA 120 ATTGCAACTG CACTGAAGAT GATAATGGCC ATTATACTCA GAGGACAGTC TTTCCACACC 180 ACTACCTATA GACCCAAGTA CTGTGCTGGG AAGGTAGAAC CCCAGTTCTG TCTCTGGCTA 240 TCAGGACCTT CTGGTTCCAC CCCAAAACGA GGAGGGCACA TTCTGTTGCA ATGCACAGGA 300 GTGTCTGTGG TCTCAGAGAA GGCATTCCTT ACCCGCCCTG CTACCCTGCT TTCCCCTGCG 360 CTCTAGCCCA CACACAGTGC ACTCCCACCT CTGGACCTAG ACTATCCATC AGCTCCCTTC 420 CGGTAATTTC AGGAAAGCAG GGGCTGAATC TCAGGCCCTT GTACTATGCG CGAGGGAAGG 480 AACGCAAGGC CAAACCACTC CAGCGGACCT GGGCAAGACC CGTCCCTGCT CCCCCAGGTC 540 CAGAAGACTA GCCCCTGGAA AAGCAGGACT GAAAAAGCGT GTGTGGGGCA AAACCAAAAA 600 AGGATGGACA TCGCACATCC CCTTTCCACC CATATATCTT TGAGGTAGGG ATGCTTGTGT 660 TTAGGCAGCT CAAGAAATCT AACCCCTGAC TCAGGCCCCA CACACACCTC GCAGAGGCCC 720 CGCCTCTCAG CCTGTCCCGC CCCTCGTGCT AGACCAACCC GCACCCAGAA GCCCCGCCCA 780 TCGAGGACGC TCCGCCCTTG TTCCCCCCGG GATTGACGTG AGTTTAGCGT GCTGATACCT 840 ACCTCCTCCC TGCCTCCTAC ACGCACGCGG CCATGTCGGA ACCTGAGTTG AAACTGGTGG 900 CGCGGCGCAT CCGCGTCTTC CCCGACTTCC CAATCCCGGG CGTGCTGTTC AGGTGCGGTC 960 ACGAGCCGGC GAGGCGTTGG CGCTGTACGC TCATCCCCCG GCGCAGGCGG TAGGCAGCCT 1020 CGGGGATCTT GCGGGGCCTC TGCCCGGCCA CACGCGGGTC ACTCTCCTGT CCTTGTTCCT 1080 AGGGATATCT CGCCCCTCTT GAAAGACCCG GACTCCTTCC GAGCTTCCAT CCGCCTCTTG 1140 GCCAGTCACC TGAAGTCCAC GCACAGCGGC AAGATCGACT ACATCGCAGG CGAGTGGCCT 1200 TGCTAGGTCG TGCTCGTCCC CCACGGTCCT AGCCCCTATC CCCTTTCCCC CTCGTGTCAC 1260 CCACAGTCTG CCCCACACCC ATCCATTCTT CTTCGACCTC TGACACTTCC TCCTTGGTTC 1320 CTCACTGCCT TGGACGCTTG TTCACCCTGG ATGAACTATG TAGGAGTCTC CCTTCCCTGC 1380 TAGGTACCCT AAGGCATCTG CCCTCGGTGC TTGTTCCTAG AGACGAACTC TGCTCTGTCC 1440 TTGTGTCCAG AACCAGGCCT CCCTCTTTTA GGGCACAAAG CTGGCCAGCA TCCTGACAGC 1500 AGGCTGGGAG ACCCTGGAAC CTCCAGATGA CGGACATCCT TGCTTAGGGG TAGCCTCTGG 1560 GATGAACTAG ATACTAAAAA TTAGGTAACC TTGGTTGGGC GTGGCGTGCC TGGGCAGACC 1620 TCAAGCCTGG TAGCTTCAGG GGCTGTTTCT CCCCAGGACT ACACCGGGGC ATCTTTCTCT 1680 TGTTCCCTCA CACAAGCTTG TGTTAAACAA CTGCTGTCTA CTTGGCTCCA TGCCTGAGCT 1740 TGAGAAACAC CCTAGGACAG CTGAATGTCC ACCAGGAGTG TCCAGAGGGA GGGTGGGCAC 1800 CCCAGAGAAC AGAGTGGCCT TGGTAAGTGC TCGGGGACCA CAGACTTTGC CACTTCACTT 1860 CCTATTGGTA CCCTTGGCCA TGCTCCAGAA ATTAGGGCAT GTATGTATCC TTCCCACGAC 1920 AGCTAGATGC TGCATTTGAA GGTGGCAAGA CCACCATAGG TGGCCCTGAG CTGTTCAGAA 1980 GGCAGGTAGG ATCCCCAAGG CTGAGATGAT GAGTTGATGG CTACCCAGTA GCCATCAACG 2040 TTCTTCTAAC CGTAGTCAGC AAGACCTAGT GTTCCTAGCA AGTGTTGACC TCGCCCATAC 2100 TTGGCCTCTA GATTCCCATG CCCCTCAGCT CCATCCCACA ACCTTCCCTC CTTACCCTAA 2160 CA GGT CTA GAC TCC AGG GGC TTC CTG TTT GGC CCT TCC CTA GCTCAGGAGC 2211 Gly Leu Asp Ser Arg Gly Phe Leu Phe Gly Pro Ser Leu 1 5 10 TGGGCGTGGG CTGTGTGCTC ATCCGGGATC TGATCAAGAG ACAGGATGAG GATCGTTTCG 2271 C ATG ATT GAA CAA GAT GGA TTG CAC GCA GGT TCT CCG GCC GCT TGG 2317 Met Ile Glu Gln Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp 15 20 25 GTG GAG AGG CTA TTC GGC TAT GAC TGG GCA CAA CAG ACA ATC GGC TGC 2365 Val Glu Arg Leu Phe Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys 30 35 40 TCT GAT GCC GCC GTG TTC CGG CTG TCA GCG CAG GGG CGC CCG GTT CTT 2413 Ser Asp Ala Ala Val Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Pro Val Leu 45 50 55 60 TTT GTC AAG ACC GAC CTG TCC GGT GCC CTG AAT GAA CTG CAG GAC GAG 2461 Phe Val Lys Thr Asp Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu 65 70 75 GCA GCG CGG CTA TCG TGG CTG GCC ACG ACG GGC GTT CCT TGC GCA GCT 2509 Ala Ala Arg Leu Ser Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Ala Ala 80 85 90 GTG CTC GAC GTT GTC ACT GAA GCG GGA AGG GAC TGG CTG CTA TTG GGC 2557 Val Leu Asp Val Val Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly 95 100 105 GAA GTG CCG GGG CAG GAT CTC CTG TCA TCT CAC CTT GCT CCT GCC GAG 2605 Glu Val Pro Gly Gln Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu 110 115 120 AAA GTA TCC ATC ATG GCT GAT GCA ATG CGG CGG CTG CAT ACG CTT GAT 2653 Lys Val Ser Ile Met Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg Leu His Thr Leu Asp 125 130 135 140 CCG GCT ACC TGC CCA TTC GAC CAC CAA GCG AAA CAT CGC ATC GAG CGA 2701 Pro Ala Thr Cys Pro Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys His Arg Ile Glu Arg 145 150 155 GCA CGT ACT CGG ATG GAA GCC GGT CTT GTC GAT CAG GAT GAT CTG GAC 2749 Ala Arg Thr Arg Met Glu Ala Gly Leu Val Asp Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp 160 165 170 GAA GAG CAT CAG GGG CTC GCG CCA GCC GAA CTG TTC GCC AGG CTC AAG 2797 Glu Glu His Gln Gly Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys 175 180 185 GCG CGC ATG CCC GAC GGC GAG GAT CTC GTC GTG ACC CAT GGC GAT GCC 2845 Ala Arg Met Pro Asp Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val Thr His Gly Asp Ala 190 195 200 TGC TTG CCG AAT ATC ATG GTG GAA AAT GGC CGC TTT TCT GGA TTC ATC 2893 Cys Leu Pro Asn Ile Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile 205 210 215 220 GAC TGT GGC CGG CTG GGT GTG GCG GAC CGC TAT CAG GAC ATA GCG TTG 2941 Asp Cys Gly Arg Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu 225 230 235 GCT ACC CGT GAT ATT GCT GAA GAG CTT GGC GGC GAA TGG GCT GAC CGC 2989 Ala Thr Arg Asp Ile Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg 240 245 250 TTC CTC GTG CTT TAC GGT ATC GCC GCT CCC GAT TCG CAG CGC ATC GCC 3037 Phe Leu Val Leu Tyr Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala 255 260 265 TTC TAT CGC CTT CTT GAC GAG TTC TTC TGAGCGGGAC TCTGGGGTTC 3084 Phe Tyr Arg Leu Leu Asp Glu Phe Phe 270 275 GAAATGACCG ACCAAGCGAC GCCCAACCTG CCATCACGAG ATTTCGATTC CACCGCCGCC 3144 TTCTATGAAA GGTTGGGCTT CGGAATCGTT TTCCGGGACG CCGGCTGGAT GATCCTCCAG 3204 CGCGGGGATC TCATGCTGGA GTTCTTCGCC CACCCCGGCC GGAAACAGGG GAAGCTGCCG 3264 GGCCCCACTG TGTCAGCCTC CTATTCTCTG GAGTATGGGA AGGTAAGCGA GCTGTGTGTA 3324 GAGGAAGGGC AGGGTCTTAT CACGGCTACC AGTGTCTAGG AGTAAATGTG GGTGCTCAGA 3384 GAGGTTGAGA CATTGGGTCA GGTTTACACC ACCCAGAAAC GCTCGAGCCT AGGGAGGTGG 3444 CCACTTGTTC GCGCCTAGAC TCTGTCTTAC ACTACTTCCT GTCTGCAGGC TGAGCTGGAA 3504 ATCCAGAAAG ATGCCTTGGA ACCCGGGCAG AGAGTGGTCA TTGTGGATGA CCTCCTGGCC 3564 ACAGGAGGTA AAGAACCAAC CCAAGACAAA CAGACTTCAA AGGGCCAGAC CCTGTCCTGG 3624 GTGCTGACTA AGCAAAGAGC TTGAACACCT CCTCCTTCTC TGTCCCTTCC CCCCA GGA 3682 Gly ACC ATG TTT GCG GCC TGT GAC CTG CTG CAC CAG CTC CGG GCT GAA GTG 3730 Thr Met Phe Ala Ala Cys Asp Leu Leu His Gln Leu Arg Ala Glu Val 280 285 290 GTG GAG TGT GTG AGC CTG GTG GAG CTG ACC TCG CTG AAG GGC AGG GAG 3778 Val Glu Cys Val Ser Leu Val Glu Leu Thr Ser Leu Lys Gly Arg Glu 295 300 305 310 AGG CTA GGA CCT ATA CCA TTC TTC TCT CTC CTC CAG TAT GAC TGAGGAGCTG 3830 Arg Leu Gly Pro Ile Pro Phe Phe Ser Leu Leu Gln Tyr Asp 315 320 325 GCTAGATGGT CACACCCCTG CTCCCAGCAG CACTAGGAAC TGCTTGGTGG CTCAGCCTAG 3890 GCGCCTAAGT GACCTTTGTG AGCTACCGGC CGCCCTTTTG TGAGTGTTAT CACTCATTCC 3950 TTTGGTCAGC TGATCCGCCG TGCCTGTGGA CCCCTGGATC CTTGTACTTT GTACACGTGC 4010 CACACACCCT GGAGCATAGC AGAGCTGTGC TACTGGAGAT CAATAAACCG TTTTGATATG 4070 CATGCCTGCT TCTCCTCAGT TTGTTGCATG GGTCACATTC CAGGCCTCCA GAGCGATACT 4130 ACAGGGACAA GGGGGCTCAG GTGGGAACCC ATAGGCTCAG CTTTGTATTG AAGCCACAAC 4190 CCCTACTAGG GAGCAGATGT TATCTCTGTC AGTCTCTGAG GCAGCTGACT ACATAAACAG 4250 GTTTATTGCT TCACTGTTCT AGGCCTGTTA TTCCATTAGG ATGGACGAGG ATGAAGCAGT 4310 GACCCACAGC CACTATATTT TTTTCTGTTG TTTGTCGAGA TGGGGTTTCT TAATATAACC 4370 AGCCCTGGCT ATTCTGGACT TGATTTGTAG CCCAGGCTGG CCTCAAACTT AAGAGGTCCA 4430 CTGCCTCTGC TTCTTGAGTG CTGGGATCAA AGTACGCACC GCAACACCCA GTTCACAGTC 4490 ACTATCTCAA AAAAGCTATT TTGTTGCAGG GCATGGTGTA TAGACCTTTA ATCCTAGTGC 4550 CTTGAAGGTA GGCAGGCTGT TAAAATTCAA GGCCAACCTG GCTATATAGT TCCAAGGAGA 4610 GCCAGAGCTT TTAGAAAAAA TAAAAATTTA AAAAATATAT ATCAAGCCAG GCATGGTGGC 4670 ACACACCTTT GATCCCAGCA CTTGGGAGGC AGAGGCAGGG CGGATTTCTG ATCTACAGAA 4730 TGAGTTCCAG GACAACCAGT TCTACAGAGA AACCCTGTCT CAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAATCA 4790 CATTCTGGGG AAGTGGGTGT TGGGGAAAGA GGGGGATGGG AGAGAGCCTG CGTCCCACCA 4850 GAGTTCTGGT GCTCCAGGAG GCTGGATACT TTTCACACTG CCCCAGTGTG AGGCTATCTG 4910 GCATGATGTT AAGCCAGTCT CCGGCACCCC ACACTGGATA TGGTGGAGGA GCTGAGAACA 4970 TAATAGGGAC CCGGGCAGAA GGAAAGAGAG GGGGGGGAAG GGAGGGGTGC TGGGTGGAGT 5030 CCTTAGTCTG GTCCATGGCT GCAGCGTAGG AAGCCTTCTG GCAGGTTAAA AGTGCTCATT 5090 AGGAGAGCCT ATCCGATCAT CATTCAAACA CGGTGGGCCT TCATGATCAG AGACAGTCTA 5150 TGGTTTTAGA GCTTTATTGT AGAAAGGGAA GGAGAAAGAG AAGGTAGAAG GACAGCCATG 5210 GCCACGTGGA GAGAGGGGGG AAGGGAAAGA GAAAAAAAGC CAGAGAGCTT AAGAGAGCGA 5270 GGAGGGGCCA AACATCCCCT TATAGTGGGC TTTGCCATCT TGCTGTTGCT AGGTAACTGT 5330 GGGAAGGGAG TCTAGCCAGA ATGCCAGAAG CTT 5363 324 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 7 Gly Leu Asp Ser Arg Gly Phe Leu Phe Gly Pro Ser Leu Met Ile Glu 1 5 10 15 Gln Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp Val Glu Arg Leu 20 25 30 Phe Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys Ser Asp Ala Ala 35 40 45 Val Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Pro Val Leu Phe Val Lys Thr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Ala Ala Val Leu Asp Val 85 90 95 Val Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly Glu Val Pro Gly 100 105 110 Gln Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Lys Val Ser Ile 115 120 125 Met Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg Leu His Thr Leu Asp Pro Ala Thr Cys 130 135 140 Pro Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys His Arg Ile Glu Arg Ala Arg Thr Arg 145 150 155 160 Met Glu Ala Gly Leu Val Asp Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp Glu Glu His Gln 165 170 175 Gly Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys Ala Arg Met Pro 180 185 190 Asp Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val Thr His Gly Asp Ala Cys Leu Pro Asn 195 200 205 Ile Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile Asp Cys Gly Arg 210 215 220 Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu Ala Thr Arg Asp 225 230 235 240 Ile Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg Phe Leu Val Leu 245 250 255 Tyr Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala Phe Tyr Arg Leu 260 265 270 Leu Asp Glu Phe Phe Gly Thr Met Phe Ala Ala Cys Asp Leu Leu His 275 280 285 Gln Leu Arg Ala Glu Val Val Glu Cys Val Ser Leu Val Glu Leu Thr 290 295 300 Ser Leu Lys Gly Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Pro Ile Pro Phe Phe Ser Leu 305 310 315 320 Leu Gln Tyr Asp 5363 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(873..953, 2202..2276) /note= “Seq Id No 8 represents the DNA sequence corresponding to Seq Id No 4 showing the third peptide coded for therein.” 8 GAATTCATGC TCACGGGCTC ACAGGAAGGT CCAAGAAGGA ATGTTTAGAA TCCATTGGAC 60 CCTCCCCACA CCCTCTCCTT TGATGGAGCA TGGGCCAATT TGGAGGATAT CTTTTGAGTA 120 ATTGCAACTG CACTGAAGAT GATAATGGCC ATTATACTCA GAGGACAGTC TTTCCACACC 180 ACTACCTATA GACCCAAGTA CTGTGCTGGG AAGGTAGAAC CCCAGTTCTG TCTCTGGCTA 240 TCAGGACCTT CTGGTTCCAC CCCAAAACGA GGAGGGCACA TTCTGTTGCA ATGCACAGGA 300 GTGTCTGTGG TCTCAGAGAA GGCATTCCTT ACCCGCCCTG CTACCCTGCT TTCCCCTGCG 360 CTCTAGCCCA CACACAGTGC ACTCCCACCT CTGGACCTAG ACTATCCATC AGCTCCCTTC 420 CGGTAATTTC AGGAAAGCAG GGGCTGAATC TCAGGCCCTT GTACTATGCG CGAGGGAAGG 480 AACGCAAGGC CAAACCACTC CAGCGGACCT GGGCAAGACC CGTCCCTGCT CCCCCAGGTC 540 CAGAAGACTA GCCCCTGGAA AAGCAGGACT GAAAAAGCGT GTGTGGGGCA AAACCAAAAA 600 AGGATGGACA TCGCACATCC CCTTTCCACC CATATATCTT TGAGGTAGGG ATGCTTGTGT 660 TTAGGCAGCT CAAGAAATCT AACCCCTGAC TCAGGCCCCA CACACACCTC GCAGAGGCCC 720 CGCCTCTCAG CCTGTCCCGC CCCTCGTGCT AGACCAACCC GCACCCAGAA GCCCCGCCCA 780 TCGAGGACGC TCCGCCCTTG TTCCCCCCGG GATTGACGTG AGTTTAGCGT GCTGATACCT 840 ACCTCCTCCC TGCCTCCTAC ACGCACGCGG CC ATG TCG GAA CCT GAG TTG AAA 893 Met Ser Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys 1 5 CTG GTG GCG CGG CGC ATC CGC GTC TTC CCC GAC TTC CCA ATC CCG GGC 941 Leu Val Ala Arg Arg Ile Arg Val Phe Pro Asp Phe Pro Ile Pro Gly 10 15 20 GTG CTG TTC AGG TGCGGTCACG AGCCGGCGAG GCGTTGGCGC TGTACGCTCA 993 Val Leu Phe Arg 25 TCCCCCGGCG CAGGCGGTAG GCAGCCTCGG GGATCTTGCG GGGCCTCTGC CCGGCCACAC 1053 GCGGGTCACT CTCCTGTCCT TGTTCCTAGG GATATCTCGC CCCTCTTGAA AGACCCGGAC 1113 TCCTTCCGAG CTTCCATCCG CCTCTTGGCC AGTCACCTGA AGTCCACGCA CAGCGGCAAG 1173 ATCGACTACA TCGCAGGCGA GTGGCCTTGC TAGGTCGTGC TCGTCCCCCA CGGTCCTAGC 1233 CCCTATCCCC TTTCCCCCTC GTGTCACCCA CAGTCTGCCC CACACCCATC CATTCTTCTT 1293 CGACCTCTGA CACTTCCTCC TTGGTTCCTC ACTGCCTTGG ACGCTTGTTC ACCCTGGATG 1353 AACTATGTAG GAGTCTCCCT TCCCTGCTAG GTACCCTAAG GCATCTGCCC TCGGTGCTTG 1413 TTCCTAGAGA CGAACTCTGC TCTGTCCTTG TGTCCAGAAC CAGGCCTCCC TCTTTTAGGG 1473 CACAAAGCTG GCCAGCATCC TGACAGCAGG CTGGGAGACC CTGGAACCTC CAGATGACGG 1533 ACATCCTTGC TTAGGGGTAG CCTCTGGGAT GAACTAGATA CTAAAAATTA GGTAACCTTG 1593 GTTGGGCGTG GCGTGCCTGG GCAGACCTCA AGCCTGGTAG CTTCAGGGGC TGTTTCTCCC 1653 CAGGACTACA CCGGGGCATC TTTCTCTTGT TCCCTCACAC AAGCTTGTGT TAAACAACTG 1713 CTGTCTACTT GGCTCCATGC CTGAGCTTGA GAAACACCCT AGGACAGCTG AATGTCCACC 1773 AGGAGTGTCC AGAGGGAGGG TGGGCACCCC AGAGAACAGA GTGGCCTTGG TAAGTGCTCG 1833 GGGACCACAG ACTTTGCCAC TTCACTTCCT ATTGGTACCC TTGGCCATGC TCCAGAAATT 1893 AGGGCATGTA TGTATCCTTC CCACGACAGC TAGATGCTGC ATTTGAAGGT GGCAAGACCA 1953 CCATAGGTGG CCCTGAGCTG TTCAGAAGGC AGGTAGGATC CCCAAGGCTG AGATGATGAG 2013 TTGATGGCTA CCCAGTAGCC ATCAACGTTC TTCTAACCGT AGTCAGCAAG ACCTAGTGTT 2073 CCTAGCAAGT GTTGACCTCG CCCATACTTG GCCTCTAGAT TCCCATGCCC CTCAGCTCCA 2133 TCCCACAACC TTCCCTCCTT ACCCTAACAG GTCTAGACTC CAGGGGCTTC CTGTTTGGCC 2193 CTTCCCTA GCT CAG GAG CTG GGC GTG GGC TGT GTG CTC ATC CGG GAT CTG 2243 Ala Gln Glu Leu Gly Val Gly Cys Val Leu Ile Arg Asp Leu 30 35 40 ATC AAG AGA CAG GAT GAG GAT CGT TTC GCA TGATTGAACA AGATGGATTG 2293 Ile Lys Arg Gln Asp Glu Asp Arg Phe Ala 45 50 CACGCAGGTT CTCCGGCCGC TTGGGTGGAG AGGCTATTCG GCTATGACTG GGCACAACAG 2353 ACAATCGGCT GCTCTGATGC CGCCGTGTTC CGGCTGTCAG CGCAGGGGCG CCCGGTTCTT 2413 TTTGTCAAGA CCGACCTGTC CGGTGCCCTG AATGAACTGC AGGACGAGGC AGCGCGGCTA 2473 TCGTGGCTGG CCACGACGGG CGTTCCTTGC GCAGCTGTGC TCGACGTTGT CACTGAAGCG 2533 GGAAGGGACT GGCTGCTATT GGGCGAAGTG CCGGGGCAGG ATCTCCTGTC ATCTCACCTT 2593 GCTCCTGCCG AGAAAGTATC CATCATGGCT GATGCAATGC GGCGGCTGCA TACGCTTGAT 2653 CCGGCTACCT GCCCATTCGA CCACCAAGCG AAACATCGCA TCGAGCGAGC ACGTACTCGG 2713 ATGGAAGCCG GTCTTGTCGA TCAGGATGAT CTGGACGAAG AGCATCAGGG GCTCGCGCCA 2773 GCCGAACTGT TCGCCAGGCT CAAGGCGCGC ATGCCCGACG GCGAGGATCT CGTCGTGACC 2833 CATGGCGATG CCTGCTTGCC GAATATCATG GTGGAAAATG GCCGCTTTTC TGGATTCATC 2893 GACTGTGGCC GGCTGGGTGT GGCGGACCGC TATCAGGACA TAGCGTTGGC TACCCGTGAT 2953 ATTGCTGAAG AGCTTGGCGG CGAATGGGCT GACCGCTTCC TCGTGCTTTA CGGTATCGCC 3013 GCTCCCGATT CGCAGCGCAT CGCCTTCTAT CGCCTTCTTG ACGAGTTCTT CTGAGCGGGA 3073 CTCTGGGGTT CGAAATGACC GACCAAGCGA CGCCCAACCT GCCATCACGA GATTTCGATT 3133 CCACCGCCGC CTTCTATGAA AGGTTGGGCT TCGGAATCGT TTTCCGGGAC GCCGGCTGGA 3193 TGATCCTCCA GCGCGGGGAT CTCATGCTGG AGTTCTTCGC CCACCCCGGC CGGAAACAGG 3253 GGAAGCTGCC GGGCCCCACT GTGTCAGCCT CCTATTCTCT GGAGTATGGG AAGGTAAGCG 3313 AGCTGTGTGT AGAGGAAGGG CAGGGTCTTA TCACGGCTAC CAGTGTCTAG GAGTAAATGT 3373 GGGTGCTCAG AGAGGTTGAG ACATTGGGTC AGGTTTACAC CACCCAGAAA CGCTCGAGCC 3433 TAGGGAGGTG GCCACTTGTT CGCGCCTAGA CTCTGTCTTA CACTACTTCC TGTCTGCAGG 3493 CTGAGCTGGA AATCCAGAAA GATGCCTTGG AACCCGGGCA GAGAGTGGTC ATTGTGGATG 3553 ACCTCCTGGC CACAGGAGGT AAAGAACCAA CCCAAGACAA ACAGACTTCA AAGGGCCAGA 3613 CCCTGTCCTG GGTGCTGACT AAGCAAAGAG CTTGAACACC TCCTCCTTCT CTGTCCCTTC 3673 CCCCCAGGAA CCATGTTTGC GGCCTGTGAC CTGCTGCACC AGCTCCGGGC TGAAGTGGTG 3733 GAGTGTGTGA GCCTGGTGGA GCTGACCTCG CTGAAGGGCA GGGAGAGGCT AGGACCTATA 3793 CCATTCTTCT CTCTCCTCCA GTATGACTGA GGAGCTGGCT AGATGGTCAC ACCCCTGCTC 3853 CCAGCAGCAC TAGGAACTGC TTGGTGGCTC AGCCTAGGCG CCTAAGTGAC CTTTGTGAGC 3913 TACCGGCCGC CCTTTTGTGA GTGTTATCAC TCATTCCTTT GGTCAGCTGA TCCGCCGTGC 3973 CTGTGGACCC CTGGATCCTT GTACTTTGTA CACGTGCCAC ACACCCTGGA GCATAGCAGA 4033 GCTGTGCTAC TGGAGATCAA TAAACCGTTT TGATATGCAT GCCTGCTTCT CCTCAGTTTG 4093 TTGCATGGGT CACATTCCAG GCCTCCAGAG CGATACTACA GGGACAAGGG GGCTCAGGTG 4153 GGAACCCATA GGCTCAGCTT TGTATTGAAG CCACAACCCC TACTAGGGAG CAGATGTTAT 4213 CTCTGTCAGT CTCTGAGGCA GCTGACTACA TAAACAGGTT TATTGCTTCA CTGTTCTAGG 4273 CCTGTTATTC CATTAGGATG GACGAGGATG AAGCAGTGAC CCACAGCCAC TATATTTTTT 4333 TCTGTTGTTT GTCGAGATGG GGTTTCTTAA TATAACCAGC CCTGGCTATT CTGGACTTGA 4393 TTTGTAGCCC AGGCTGGCCT CAAACTTAAG AGGTCCACTG CCTCTGCTTC TTGAGTGCTG 4453 GGATCAAAGT ACGCACCGCA ACACCCAGTT CACAGTCACT ATCTCAAAAA AGCTATTTTG 4513 TTGCAGGGCA TGGTGTATAG ACCTTTAATC CTAGTGCCTT GAAGGTAGGC AGGCTGTTAA 4573 AATTCAAGGC CAACCTGGCT ATATAGTTCC AAGGAGAGCC AGAGCTTTTA GAAAAAATAA 4633 AAATTTAAAA AATATATATC AAGCCAGGCA TGGTGGCACA CACCTTTGAT CCCAGCACTT 4693 GGGAGGCAGA GGCAGGGCGG ATTTCTGATC TACAGAATGA GTTCCAGGAC AACCAGTTCT 4753 ACAGAGAAAC CCTGTCTCAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAATCACAT TCTGGGGAAG TGGGTGTTGG 4813 GGAAAGAGGG GGATGGGAGA GAGCCTGCGT CCCACCAGAG TTCTGGTGCT CCAGGAGGCT 4873 GGATACTTTT CACACTGCCC CAGTGTGAGG CTATCTGGCA TGATGTTAAG CCAGTCTCCG 4933 GCACCCCACA CTGGATATGG TGGAGGAGCT GAGAACATAA TAGGGACCCG GGCAGAAGGA 4993 AAGAGAGGGG GGGGAAGGGA GGGGTGCTGG GTGGAGTCCT TAGTCTGGTC CATGGCTGCA 5053 GCGTAGGAAG CCTTCTGGCA GGTTAAAAGT GCTCATTAGG AGAGCCTATC CGATCATCAT 5113 TCAAACACGG TGGGCCTTCA TGATCAGAGA CAGTCTATGG TTTTAGAGCT TTATTGTAGA 5173 AAGGGAAGGA GAAAGAGAAG GTAGAAGGAC AGCCATGGCC ACGTGGAGAG AGGGGGGAAG 5233 GGAAAGAGAA AAAAAGCCAG AGAGCTTAAG AGAGCGAGGA GGGGCCAAAC ATCCCCTTAT 5293 AGTGGGCTTT GCCATCTTGC TGTTGCTAGG TAACTGTGGG AAGGGAGTCT AGCCAGAATG 5353 CCAGAAGCTT 5363 51 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 9 Met Ser Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys Leu Val Ala Arg Arg Ile Arg Val Phe 1 5 10 15 Pro Asp Phe Pro Ile Pro Gly Val Leu Phe Arg Ala Gln Glu Leu Gly 20 25 30 Val Gly Cys Val Leu Ile Arg Asp Leu Ile Lys Arg Gln Asp Glu Asp 35 40 45 Arg Phe Ala 50 3628 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(123..224, 2529..2606) 10 GCCGGCGAGG CGTTGGCGCT GTACGCTCAT CCCCCGGCGC AGGCGGTAGG CAGCCTCGGG 60 GATCTTGCGG GGCCTCTGCC CGGCCACACG CGGGTCACTC TCCTGTCCTT GTTCCTAGGG 120 AT ATC TCG CCC CTC TTG AAA GAC CCG GAC TCC TTC CGA GCT TCC ATC 167 Ile Ser Pro Leu Leu Lys Asp Pro Asp Ser Phe Arg Ala Ser Ile 1 5 10 15 CGC CTC TTG GCC AGT CAC CTG AAG TCC ACG CAC AGC GGC AAG ATC GAC 215 Arg Leu Leu Ala Ser His Leu Lys Ser Thr His Ser Gly Lys Ile Asp 20 25 30 TAC ATC GCA GGCGAGTGGC CTTGCTAGGT CGTGCTCGTC CCCCACGGTC 264 Tyr Ile Ala CTAGCCCCTA TCCCCTTTCC CCCTCGTGTC ACCCACAGTC TGCCCCACAC CCATCCATTC 324 TTCTTCGACC TCTGACACTT CCTCCTTGGT TCCTCACTGC CTTGGACGCT TGTTCACCCT 384 GGATGAACTA TGTAGGAGTC TCCCTTCCCT GCTAGGTACC CTAAGGCATC TGCCCTCGGT 444 GCTTGTTCCT AGAGACGAAC TCTGCTCTGT CCTTGTGTCC AGAACCAGGC CTCCCTCTTT 504 TAGGGCACAA AGCTGGCCAG CATCCTGACA GCAGGCTGGG AGACCCTGGA ACCTCCAGAT 564 GACGGACATC CTTGCTTAGG GGTAGCCTCT GGGATGAACT AGATACTAAA AATTAGGTAA 624 CCTTGGTTGG GCGTGGCGTG CCTGGGCAGA CCTCAAGCCT GGTAGCTTCA GGGGCTGTTT 684 CTCCCCAGGA CTACACCGGG GCATCTTTCT CTTGTTCCCT CACACAAGCT TGTGTTAAAC 744 AACTGCTGTC TACTTGGCTC CATGCCTGAG CTTGAGAAAC ACCCTAGGAC AGCTGAATGT 804 CCACCAGGAG TGTCCAGAGG GAGGGTGGGC ACCCCAGAGA ACAGAGTGGC CTTGGTAAGT 864 GCTCGGGGAC CACAGACTTT GCCACTTCAC TTCCTATTGG TACCCTTGGC CATGCTCCAG 924 AAATTAGGGC ATGTATGTAT CCTTCCCACG ACAGCTAGAT GCTGCATTTG AAGGTGGCAA 984 GACCACCATA GGTGGCCCTG AGCTGTTCAG AAGGCAGGTA GGATCCCCAA GGCTGAGATG 1044 ATGAGTTGAT GGCTACCCAG TAGCCATCAA CGTTCTTCTA ACCGTAGTCA GCAAGACCTA 1104 GTGTTCCTAG CAAGTGTTGA CCTCGCCCAT ACTTGGCCTC TAGATTCCCA TGCCCCTCAG 1164 CTCCATCCCA CAACCTTCCC TCCTTACCCT AACAGGTCTA GACTCCAGGG GCTTCCTGTT 1224 TGGCCCTTCC CTAGCTCAGG AGCTGGGCGT GGGCTGTGTG CTCATCCGGG ATCTGATCAA 1284 GAGACAGGAT GAGGATCGTT TCGCATGATT GAACAAGATG GATTGCACGC AGGTTCTCCG 1344 GCCGCTTGGG TGGAGAGGCT ATTCGGCTAT GACTGGGCAC AACAGACAAT CGGCTGCTCT 1404 GATGCCGCCG TGTTCCGGCT GTCAGCGCAG GGGCGCCCGG TTCTTTTTGT CAAGACCGAC 1464 CTGTCCGGTG CCCTGAATGA ACTGCAGGAC GAGGCAGCGC GGCTATCGTG GCTGGCCACG 1524 ACGGGCGTTC CTTGCGCAGC TGTGCTCGAC GTTGTCACTG AAGCGGGAAG GGACTGGCTG 1584 CTATTGGGCG AAGTGCCGGG GCAGGATCTC CTGTCATCTC ACCTTGCTCC TGCCGAGAAA 1644 GTATCCATCA TGGCTGATGC AATGCGGCGG CTGCATACGC TTGATCCGGC TACCTGCCCA 1704 TTCGACCACC AAGCGAAACA TCGCATCGAG CGAGCACGTA CTCGGATGGA AGCCGGTCTT 1764 GTCGATCAGG ATGATCTGGA CGAAGAGCAT CAGGGGCTCG CGCCAGCCGA ACTGTTCGCC 1824 AGGCTCAAGG CGCGCATGCC CGACGGCGAG GATCTCGTCG TGACCCATGG CGATGCCTGC 1884 TTGCCGAATA TCATGGTGGA AAATGGCCGC TTTTCTGGAT TCATCGACTG TGGCCGGCTG 1944 GGTGTGGCGG ACCGCTATCA GGACATAGCG TTGGCTACCC GTGATATTGC TGAAGAGCTT 2004 GGCGGCGAAT GGGCTGACCG CTTCCTCGTG CTTTACGGTA TCGCCGCTCC CGATTCGCAG 2064 CGCATCGCCT TCTATCGCCT TCTTGACGAG TTCTTCTGAG CGGGACTCTG GGGTTCGAAA 2124 TGACCGACCA AGCGACGCCC AACCTGCCAT CACGAGATTT CGATTCCACC GCCGCCTTCT 2184 ATGAAAGGTT GGGCTTCGGA ATCGTTTTCC GGGACGCCGG CTGGATGATC CTCCAGCGCG 2244 GGGATCTCAT GCTGGAGTTC TTCGCCCACC CCGGCCGGAA ACAGGGGAAG CTGCCGGGCC 2304 CCACTGTGTC AGCCTCCTAT TCTCTGGAGT ATGGGAAGGT AAGCGAGCTG TGTGTAGAGG 2364 AAGGGCAGGG TCTTATCACG GCTACCAGTG TCTAGGAGTA AATGTGGGTG CTCAGAGAGG 2424 TTGAGACATT GGGTCAGGTT TACACCACCC AGAAACGCTC GAGCCTAGGG AGGTGGCCAC 2484 TTGTTCGCGC CTAGACTCTG TCTTACACTA CTTCCTGTCT GCAG GCT GAG CTG GAA 2540 Ala Glu Leu Glu 35 ATC CAG AAA GAT GCC TTG GAA CCC GGG CAG AGA GTG GTC ATT GTG GAT 2588 Ile Gln Lys Asp Ala Leu Glu Pro Gly Gln Arg Val Val Ile Val Asp 40 45 50 GAC CTC CTG GCC ACA GGA GGTAAAGAAC CAACCCAAGA CAAACAGACT 2636 Asp Leu Leu Ala Thr Gly 55 60 TCAAAGGGCC AGACCCTGTC CTGGGTGCTG ACTAAGCAAA GAGCTTGAAC ACCTCCTCCT 2696 TCTCTGTCCC TTCCCCCCAG GAACCATGTT TGCGGCCTGT GACCTGCTGC ACCAGCTCCG 2756 GGCTGAAGTG GTGGAGTGTG TGAGCCTGGT GGAGCTGACC TCGCTGAAGG GCAGGGAGAG 2816 GCTAGGACCT ATACCATTCT TCTCTCTCCT CCAGTATGAC TGAGGAGCTG GCTAGATGGT 2876 CACACCCCTG CTCCCAGCAG CACTAGGAAC TGCTTGGTGG CTCAGCCTAG GCGCCTAAGT 2936 GACCTTTGTG AGCTACCGGC CGCCCTTTTG TGAGTGTTAT CACTCATTCC TTTGGTCAGC 2996 TGATCCGCCG TGCCTGTGGA CCCCTGGATC CTTGTACTTT GTACACGTGC CACACACCCT 3056 GGAGCATAGC AGAGCTGTGC TACTGGAGAT CAATAAACCG TTTTGATATG CATGCCTGCT 3116 TCTCCTCAGT TTGTTGCATG GGTCACATTC CAGGCCTCCA GAGCGATACT ACAGGGACAA 3176 GGGGGCTCAG GTGGGAACCC ATAGGCTCAG CTTTGTATTG AAGCCACAAC CCCTACTAGG 3236 GAGCAGATGT TATCTCTGTC AGTCTCTGAG GCAGCTGACT ACATAAACAG GTTTATTGCT 3296 TCACTGTTCT AGGCCTGTTA TTCCATTAGG ATGGACGAGG ATGAAGCAGT GACCCACAGC 3356 CACTATATTT TTTTCTGTTG TTTGTCGAGA TGGGGTTTCT TAATATAACC AGCCCTGGCT 3416 ATTCTGGACT TGATTTGTAG CCCAGGCTGG CCTCAAACTT AAGAGGTCCA CTGCCTCTGC 3476 TTCTTGAGTG CTGGGATCAA AGTACGCACC GCAACACCCA GTTCACAGTC ACTATCTCAA 3536 AAAAGCTATT TTGTTGCAGG GCATGGTGTA TAGACCTTTA ATCCTAGTGC CTTGAAGGTA 3596 GGCAGGCTGT TAAAATTCAA GGCCAACCTG GC 3628 60 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 11 Ile Ser Pro Leu Leu Lys Asp Pro Asp Ser Phe Arg Ala Ser Ile Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Ala Ser His Leu Lys Ser Thr His Ser Gly Lys Ile Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Ile Ala Ala Glu Leu Glu Ile Gln Lys Asp Ala Leu Glu Pro Gly Gln 35 40 45 Arg Val Val Ile Val Asp Asp Leu Leu Ala Thr Gly 50 55 60 3628 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(1309..1737, 1786..2100, 2716..2859) /note= “Seq Id No 12 represents the DNA sequence corresponding to Seq Id No 10 showing the second peptide coded for therein.” 12 GCCGGCGAGG CGTTGGCGCT GTACGCTCAT CCCCCGGCGC AGGCGGTAGG CAGCCTCGGG 60 GATCTTGCGG GGCCTCTGCC CGGCCACACG CGGGTCACTC TCCTGTCCTT GTTCCTAGGG 120 ATATCTCGCC CCTCTTGAAA GACCCGGACT CCTTCCGAGC TTCCATCCGC CTCTTGGCCA 180 GTCACCTGAA GTCCACGCAC AGCGGCAAGA TCGACTACAT CGCAGGCGAG TGGCCTTGCT 240 AGGTCGTGCT CGTCCCCCAC GGTCCTAGCC CCTATCCCCT TTCCCCCTCG TGTCACCCAC 300 AGTCTGCCCC ACACCCATCC ATTCTTCTTC GACCTCTGAC ACTTCCTCCT TGGTTCCTCA 360 CTGCCTTGGA CGCTTGTTCA CCCTGGATGA ACTATGTAGG AGTCTCCCTT CCCTGCTAGG 420 TACCCTAAGG CATCTGCCCT CGGTGCTTGT TCCTAGAGAC GAACTCTGCT CTGTCCTTGT 480 GTCCAGAACC AGGCCTCCCT CTTTTAGGGC ACAAAGCTGG CCAGCATCCT GACAGCAGGC 540 TGGGAGACCC TGGAACCTCC AGATGACGGA CATCCTTGCT TAGGGGTAGC CTCTGGGATG 600 AACTAGATAC TAAAAATTAG GTAACCTTGG TTGGGCGTGG CGTGCCTGGG CAGACCTCAA 660 GCCTGGTAGC TTCAGGGGCT GTTTCTCCCC AGGACTACAC CGGGGCATCT TTCTCTTGTT 720 CCCTCACACA AGCTTGTGTT AAACAACTGC TGTCTACTTG GCTCCATGCC TGAGCTTGAG 780 AAACACCCTA GGACAGCTGA ATGTCCACCA GGAGTGTCCA GAGGGAGGGT GGGCACCCCA 840 GAGAACAGAG TGGCCTTGGT AAGTGCTCGG GGACCACAGA CTTTGCCACT TCACTTCCTA 900 TTGGTACCCT TGGCCATGCT CCAGAAATTA GGGCATGTAT GTATCCTTCC CACGACAGCT 960 AGATGCTGCA TTTGAAGGTG GCAAGACCAC CATAGGTGGC CCTGAGCTGT TCAGAAGGCA 1020 GGTAGGATCC CCAAGGCTGA GATGATGAGT TGATGGCTAC CCAGTAGCCA TCAACGTTCT 1080 TCTAACCGTA GTCAGCAAGA CCTAGTGTTC CTAGCAAGTG TTGACCTCGC CCATACTTGG 1140 CCTCTAGATT CCCATGCCCC TCAGCTCCAT CCCACAACCT TCCCTCCTTA CCCTAACAGG 1200 TCTAGACTCC AGGGGCTTCC TGTTTGGCCC TTCCCTAGCT CAGGAGCTGG GCGTGGGCTG 1260 TGTGCTCATC CGGGATCTGA TCAAGAGACA GGATGAGGAT CGTTTCGC ATG ATT GAA 1317 Met Ile Glu 1 CAA GAT GGA TTG CAC GCA GGT TCT CCG GCC GCT TGG GTG GAG AGG CTA 1365 Gln Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp Val Glu Arg Leu 5 10 15 TTC GGC TAT GAC TGG GCA CAA CAG ACA ATC GGC TGC TCT GAT GCC GCC 1413 Phe Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys Ser Asp Ala Ala 20 25 30 35 GTG TTC CGG CTG TCA GCG CAG GGG CGC CCG GTT CTT TTT GTC AAG ACC 1461 Val Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Pro Val Leu Phe Val Lys Thr 40 45 50 GAC CTG TCC GGT GCC CTG AAT GAA CTG CAG GAC GAG GCA GCG CGG CTA 1509 Asp Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu 55 60 65 TCG TGG CTG GCC ACG ACG GGC GTT CCT TGC GCA GCT GTG CTC GAC GTT 1557 Ser Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Ala Ala Val Leu Asp Val 70 75 80 GTC ACT GAA GCG GGA AGG GAC TGG CTG CTA TTG GGC GAA GTG CCG GGG 1605 Val Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly Glu Val Pro Gly 85 90 95 CAG GAT CTC CTG TCA TCT CAC CTT GCT CCT GCC GAG AAA GTA TCC ATC 1653 Gln Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Lys Val Ser Ile 100 105 110 115 ATG GCT GAT GCA ATG CGG CGG CTG CAT ACG CTT GAT CCG GCT ACC TGC 1701 Met Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg Leu His Thr Leu Asp Pro Ala Thr Cys 120 125 130 CCA TTC GAC CAC CAA GCG AAA CAT CGC ATC GAG CGA GCACGTACTC 1747 Pro Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys His Arg Ile Glu Arg 135 140 GGATGGAAGC CGGTCTTGTC GATCAGGATG ATCTGGAC GAA GAG CAT CAG GGG 1800 Glu Glu His Gln Gly 145 CTC GCG CCA GCC GAA CTG TTC GCC AGG CTC AAG GCG CGC ATG CCC GAC 1848 Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys Ala Arg Met Pro Asp 150 155 160 GGC GAG GAT CTC GTC GTG ACC CAT GGC GAT GCC TGC TTG CCG AAT ATC 1896 Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val Thr His Gly Asp Ala Cys Leu Pro Asn Ile 165 170 175 180 ATG GTG GAA AAT GGC CGC TTT TCT GGA TTC ATC GAC TGT GGC CGG CTG 1944 Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile Asp Cys Gly Arg Leu 185 190 195 GGT GTG GCG GAC CGC TAT CAG GAC ATA GCG TTG GCT ACC CGT GAT ATT 1992 Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu Ala Thr Arg Asp Ile 200 205 210 GCT GAA GAG CTT GGC GGC GAA TGG GCT GAC CGC TTC CTC GTG CTT TAC 2040 Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg Phe Leu Val Leu Tyr 215 220 225 GGT ATC GCC GCT CCC GAT TCG CAG CGC ATC GCC TTC TAT CGC CTT CTT 2088 Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala Phe Tyr Arg Leu Leu 230 235 240 GAC GAG TTC TTC TGAGCGGGAC TCTGGGGTTC GAAATGACCG ACCAAGCGAC 2140 Asp Glu Phe Phe 245 GCCCAACCTG CCATCACGAG ATTTCGATTC CACCGCCGCC TTCTATGAAA GGTTGGGCTT 2200 CGGAATCGTT TTCCGGGACG CCGGCTGGAT GATCCTCCAG CGCGGGGATC TCATGCTGGA 2260 GTTCTTCGCC CACCCCGGCC GGAAACAGGG GAAGCTGCCG GGCCCCACTG TGTCAGCCTC 2320 CTATTCTCTG GAGTATGGGA AGGTAAGCGA GCTGTGTGTA GAGGAAGGGC AGGGTCTTAT 2380 CACGGCTACC AGTGTCTAGG AGTAAATGTG GGTGCTCAGA GAGGTTGAGA CATTGGGTCA 2440 GGTTTACACC ACCCAGAAAC GCTCGAGCCT AGGGAGGTGG CCACTTGTTC GCGCCTAGAC 2500 TCTGTCTTAC ACTACTTCCT GTCTGCAGGC TGAGCTGGAA ATCCAGAAAG ATGCCTTGGA 2560 ACCCGGGCAG AGAGTGGTCA TTGTGGATGA CCTCCTGGCC ACAGGAGGTA AAGAACCAAC 2620 CCAAGACAAA CAGACTTCAA AGGGCCAGAC CCTGTCCTGG GTGCTGACTA AGCAAAGAGC 2680 TTGAACACCT CCTCCTTCTC TGTCCCTTCC CCCCA GGA ACC ATG TTT GCG GCC 2733 Gly Thr Met Phe Ala Ala 250 TGT GAC CTG CTG CAC CAG CTC CGG GCT GAA GTG GTG GAG TGT GTG AGC 2781 Cys Asp Leu Leu His Gln Leu Arg Ala Glu Val Val Glu Cys Val Ser 255 260 265 270 CTG GTG GAG CTG ACC TCG CTG AAG GGC AGG GAG AGG CTA GGA CCT ATA 2829 Leu Val Glu Leu Thr Ser Leu Lys Gly Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Pro Ile 275 280 285 CCA TTC TTC TCT CTC CTC CAG TAT GAC TGAGGAGCTG GCTAGATGGT 2876 Pro Phe Phe Ser Leu Leu Gln Tyr Asp 290 295 CACACCCCTG CTCCCAGCAG CACTAGGAAC TGCTTGGTGG CTCAGCCTAG GCGCCTAAGT 2936 GACCTTTGTG AGCTACCGGC CGCCCTTTTG TGAGTGTTAT CACTCATTCC TTTGGTCAGC 2996 TGATCCGCCG TGCCTGTGGA CCCCTGGATC CTTGTACTTT GTACACGTGC CACACACCCT 3056 GGAGCATAGC AGAGCTGTGC TACTGGAGAT CAATAAACCG TTTTGATATG CATGCCTGCT 3116 TCTCCTCAGT TTGTTGCATG GGTCACATTC CAGGCCTCCA GAGCGATACT ACAGGGACAA 3176 GGGGGCTCAG GTGGGAACCC ATAGGCTCAG CTTTGTATTG AAGCCACAAC CCCTACTAGG 3236 GAGCAGATGT TATCTCTGTC AGTCTCTGAG GCAGCTGACT ACATAAACAG GTTTATTGCT 3296 TCACTGTTCT AGGCCTGTTA TTCCATTAGG ATGGACGAGG ATGAAGCAGT GACCCACAGC 3356 CACTATATTT TTTTCTGTTG TTTGTCGAGA TGGGGTTTCT TAATATAACC AGCCCTGGCT 3416 ATTCTGGACT TGATTTGTAG CCCAGGCTGG CCTCAAACTT AAGAGGTCCA CTGCCTCTGC 3476 TTCTTGAGTG CTGGGATCAA AGTACGCACC GCAACACCCA GTTCACAGTC ACTATCTCAA 3536 AAAAGCTATT TTGTTGCAGG GCATGGTGTA TAGACCTTTA ATCCTAGTGC CTTGAAGGTA 3596 GGCAGGCTGT TAAAATTCAA GGCCAACCTG GC 3628 295 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 13 Met Ile Glu Gln Asp Gly Leu His Ala Gly Ser Pro Ala Ala Trp Val 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Leu Phe Gly Tyr Asp Trp Ala Gln Gln Thr Ile Gly Cys Ser 20 25 30 Asp Ala Ala Val Phe Arg Leu Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Pro Val Leu Phe 35 40 45 Val Lys Thr Asp Leu Ser Gly Ala Leu Asn Glu Leu Gln Asp Glu Ala 50 55 60 Ala Arg Leu Ser Trp Leu Ala Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Ala Ala Val 65 70 75 80 Leu Asp Val Val Thr Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Trp Leu Leu Leu Gly Glu 85 90 95 Val Pro Gly Gln Asp Leu Leu Ser Ser His Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Lys 100 105 110 Val Ser Ile Met Ala Asp Ala Met Arg Arg Leu His Thr Leu Asp Pro 115 120 125 Ala Thr Cys Pro Phe Asp His Gln Ala Lys His Arg Ile Glu Arg Glu 130 135 140 Glu His Gln Gly Leu Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Lys Ala 145 150 155 160 Arg Met Pro Asp Gly Glu Asp Leu Val Val Thr His Gly Asp Ala Cys 165 170 175 Leu Pro Asn Ile Met Val Glu Asn Gly Arg Phe Ser Gly Phe Ile Asp 180 185 190 Cys Gly Arg Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Arg Tyr Gln Asp Ile Ala Leu Ala 195 200 205 Thr Arg Asp Ile Ala Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Trp Ala Asp Arg Phe 210 215 220 Leu Val Leu Tyr Gly Ile Ala Ala Pro Asp Ser Gln Arg Ile Ala Phe 225 230 235 240 Tyr Arg Leu Leu Asp Glu Phe Phe Gly Thr Met Phe Ala Ala Cys Asp 245 250 255 Leu Leu His Gln Leu Arg Ala Glu Val Val Glu Cys Val Ser Leu Val 260 265 270 Glu Leu Thr Ser Leu Lys Gly Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Pro Ile Pro Phe 275 280 285 Phe Ser Leu Leu Gln Tyr Asp 290 295 3628 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown CDS join(1199..1309, 1738..1785) /note= “Seq Id No 14 represents the DNA sequence corresponding to Seq Id No 10 showing the third peptide coded for therein.” 14 GCCGGCGAGG CGTTGGCGCT GTACGCTCAT CCCCCGGCGC AGGCGGTAGG CAGCCTCGGG 60 GATCTTGCGG GGCCTCTGCC CGGCCACACG CGGGTCACTC TCCTGTCCTT GTTCCTAGGG 120 ATATCTCGCC CCTCTTGAAA GACCCGGACT CCTTCCGAGC TTCCATCCGC CTCTTGGCCA 180 GTCACCTGAA GTCCACGCAC AGCGGCAAGA TCGACTACAT CGCAGGCGAG TGGCCTTGCT 240 AGGTCGTGCT CGTCCCCCAC GGTCCTAGCC CCTATCCCCT TTCCCCCTCG TGTCACCCAC 300 AGTCTGCCCC ACACCCATCC ATTCTTCTTC GACCTCTGAC ACTTCCTCCT TGGTTCCTCA 360 CTGCCTTGGA CGCTTGTTCA CCCTGGATGA ACTATGTAGG AGTCTCCCTT CCCTGCTAGG 420 TACCCTAAGG CATCTGCCCT CGGTGCTTGT TCCTAGAGAC GAACTCTGCT CTGTCCTTGT 480 GTCCAGAACC AGGCCTCCCT CTTTTAGGGC ACAAAGCTGG CCAGCATCCT GACAGCAGGC 540 TGGGAGACCC TGGAACCTCC AGATGACGGA CATCCTTGCT TAGGGGTAGC CTCTGGGATG 600 AACTAGATAC TAAAAATTAG GTAACCTTGG TTGGGCGTGG CGTGCCTGGG CAGACCTCAA 660 GCCTGGTAGC TTCAGGGGCT GTTTCTCCCC AGGACTACAC CGGGGCATCT TTCTCTTGTT 720 CCCTCACACA AGCTTGTGTT AAACAACTGC TGTCTACTTG GCTCCATGCC TGAGCTTGAG 780 AAACACCCTA GGACAGCTGA ATGTCCACCA GGAGTGTCCA GAGGGAGGGT GGGCACCCCA 840 GAGAACAGAG TGGCCTTGGT AAGTGCTCGG GGACCACAGA CTTTGCCACT TCACTTCCTA 900 TTGGTACCCT TGGCCATGCT CCAGAAATTA GGGCATGTAT GTATCCTTCC CACGACAGCT 960 AGATGCTGCA TTTGAAGGTG GCAAGACCAC CATAGGTGGC CCTGAGCTGT TCAGAAGGCA 1020 GGTAGGATCC CCAAGGCTGA GATGATGAGT TGATGGCTAC CCAGTAGCCA TCAACGTTCT 1080 TCTAACCGTA GTCAGCAAGA CCTAGTGTTC CTAGCAAGTG TTGACCTCGC CCATACTTGG 1140 CCTCTAGATT CCCATGCCCC TCAGCTCCAT CCCACAACCT TCCCTCCTTA CCCTAACA 1198 GGT CTA GAC TCC AGG GGC TTC CTG TTT GGC CCT TCC CTA GCT CAG GAG 1246 Gly Leu Asp Ser Arg Gly Phe Leu Phe Gly Pro Ser Leu Ala Gln Glu 1 5 10 15 CTG GGC GTG GGC TGT GTG CTC ATC CGG GAT CTG ATC AAG AGA CAG GAT 1294 Leu Gly Val Gly Cys Val Leu Ile Arg Asp Leu Ile Lys Arg Gln Asp 20 25 30 GAG GAT CGT TTC GCA TGATTGAACA AGATGGATTG CACGCAGGTT CTCCGGCCGC 1349 Glu Asp Arg Phe Ala 35 TTGGGTGGAG AGGCTATTCG GCTATGACTG GGCACAACAG ACAATCGGCT GCTCTGATGC 1409 CGCCGTGTTC CGGCTGTCAG CGCAGGGGCG CCCGGTTCTT TTTGTCAAGA CCGACCTGTC 1469 CGGTGCCCTG AATGAACTGC AGGACGAGGC AGCGCGGCTA TCGTGGCTGG CCACGACGGG 1529 CGTTCCTTGC GCAGCTGTGC TCGACGTTGT CACTGAAGCG GGAAGGGACT GGCTGCTATT 1589 GGGCGAAGTG CCGGGGCAGG ATCTCCTGTC ATCTCACCTT GCTCCTGCCG AGAAAGTATC 1649 CATCATGGCT GATGCAATGC GGCGGCTGCA TACGCTTGAT CCGGCTACCT GCCCATTCGA 1709 CCACCAAGCG AAACATCGCA TCGAGCGA GCA CGT ACT CGG ATG GAA GCC GGT 1761 Ala Arg Thr Arg Met Glu Ala Gly 40 45 CTT GTC GAT CAG GAT GAT CTG GAC GAAGAGCATC AGGGGCTCGC GCCAGCCGAA 1815 Leu Val Asp Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp 50 CTGTTCGCCA GGCTCAAGGC GCGCATGCCC GACGGCGAGG ATCTCGTCGT GACCCATGGC 1875 GATGCCTGCT TGCCGAATAT CATGGTGGAA AATGGCCGCT TTTCTGGATT CATCGACTGT 1935 GGCCGGCTGG GTGTGGCGGA CCGCTATCAG GACATAGCGT TGGCTACCCG TGATATTGCT 1995 GAAGAGCTTG GCGGCGAATG GGCTGACCGC TTCCTCGTGC TTTACGGTAT CGCCGCTCCC 2055 GATTCGCAGC GCATCGCCTT CTATCGCCTT CTTGACGAGT TCTTCTGAGC GGGACTCTGG 2115 GGTTCGAAAT GACCGACCAA GCGACGCCCA ACCTGCCATC ACGAGATTTC GATTCCACCG 2175 CCGCCTTCTA TGAAAGGTTG GGCTTCGGAA TCGTTTTCCG GGACGCCGGC TGGATGATCC 2235 TCCAGCGCGG GGATCTCATG CTGGAGTTCT TCGCCCACCC CGGCCGGAAA CAGGGGAAGC 2295 TGCCGGGCCC CACTGTGTCA GCCTCCTATT CTCTGGAGTA TGGGAAGGTA AGCGAGCTGT 2355 GTGTAGAGGA AGGGCAGGGT CTTATCACGG CTACCAGTGT CTAGGAGTAA ATGTGGGTGC 2415 TCAGAGAGGT TGAGACATTG GGTCAGGTTT ACACCACCCA GAAACGCTCG AGCCTAGGGA 2475 GGTGGCCACT TGTTCGCGCC TAGACTCTGT CTTACACTAC TTCCTGTCTG CAGGCTGAGC 2535 TGGAAATCCA GAAAGATGCC TTGGAACCCG GGCAGAGAGT GGTCATTGTG GATGACCTCC 2595 TGGCCACAGG AGGTAAAGAA CCAACCCAAG ACAAACAGAC TTCAAAGGGC CAGACCCTGT 2655 CCTGGGTGCT GACTAAGCAA AGAGCTTGAA CACCTCCTCC TTCTCTGTCC CTTCCCCCCA 2715 GGAACCATGT TTGCGGCCTG TGACCTGCTG CACCAGCTCC GGGCTGAAGT GGTGGAGTGT 2775 GTGAGCCTGG TGGAGCTGAC CTCGCTGAAG GGCAGGGAGA GGCTAGGACC TATACCATTC 2835 TTCTCTCTCC TCCAGTATGA CTGAGGAGCT GGCTAGATGG TCACACCCCT GCTCCCAGCA 2895 GCACTAGGAA CTGCTTGGTG GCTCAGCCTA GGCGCCTAAG TGACCTTTGT GAGCTACCGG 2955 CCGCCCTTTT GTGAGTGTTA TCACTCATTC CTTTGGTCAG CTGATCCGCC GTGCCTGTGG 3015 ACCCCTGGAT CCTTGTACTT TGTACACGTG CCACACACCC TGGAGCATAG CAGAGCTGTG 3075 CTACTGGAGA TCAATAAACC GTTTTGATAT GCATGCCTGC TTCTCCTCAG TTTGTTGCAT 3135 GGGTCACATT CCAGGCCTCC AGAGCGATAC TACAGGGACA AGGGGGCTCA GGTGGGAACC 3195 CATAGGCTCA GCTTTGTATT GAAGCCACAA CCCCTACTAG GGAGCAGATG TTATCTCTGT 3255 CAGTCTCTGA GGCAGCTGAC TACATAAACA GGTTTATTGC TTCACTGTTC TAGGCCTGTT 3315 ATTCCATTAG GATGGACGAG GATGAAGCAG TGACCCACAG CCACTATATT TTTTTCTGTT 3375 GTTTGTCGAG ATGGGGTTTC TTAATATAAC CAGCCCTGGC TATTCTGGAC TTGATTTGTA 3435 GCCCAGGCTG GCCTCAAACT TAAGAGGTCC ACTGCCTCTG CTTCTTGAGT GCTGGGATCA 3495 AAGTACGCAC CGCAACACCC AGTTCACAGT CACTATCTCA AAAAAGCTAT TTTGTTGCAG 3555 GGCATGGTGT ATAGACCTTT AATCCTAGTG CCTTGAAGGT AGGCAGGCTG TTAAAATTCA 3615 AGGCCAACCT GGC 3628 53 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 15 Gly Leu Asp Ser Arg Gly Phe Leu Phe Gly Pro Ser Leu Ala Gln Glu 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Val Gly Cys Val Leu Ile Arg Asp Leu Ile Lys Arg Gln Asp 20 25 30 Glu Asp Arg Phe Ala Ala Arg Thr Arg Met Glu Ala Gly Leu Val Asp 35 40 45 Gln Asp Asp Leu Asp 50 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sesequence represents mutation of base 2487 of Seq Id No 3” 16 CTGCAAGCT 9 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sequence represents mutation of base 2487 of Seq Id No 3” 17 CTGCGGGCT 9 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sequence represents mutation of base 2487 of Seq Id No 3” 18 CTGCATGCT 9 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sequence represents mutation of base 2487 of Seq Id No 3” 19 CTGCACGCT 9 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sequence represents mutation of base 2486 of Seq Id No 3” 20 CTGCCGGCT 9 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA (genomic) unknown misc_feature 1..9 /note= “This sequence represents mutation of base 2486 of Seq Id No 3” 21 CTGCTGGCT 9 

Having described our invention, we claim:
 1. A transgenic mouse or its progeny, said transgenic mouse or its progeny having an endogenous gene modified by homologous recombination to produce a reporter gene for detecting the occurrence of mutations in said reporter gene in vivo, or for monitoring the efficacy of a gene or enzyme delivery systems or methods, said reporter gene having a genotype selected from a group consisting of: reporter gene^(Mx)/reporter gene^(Mx), reporter gene^(Mx)/reporter gene^(My), reporter gene-marker gene/reporter gene-marker gene, reporter gene^(Mx)/reporter gene-marker gene, reporter gene^(My)/reporter gene-marker gene, reporter gene^(Mx)/−, reporter gene^(My)/−, reporter gene-marker gene/−, reporter gene^(My)/reporter gene^(My), reporter gene^(Mx)/+, reporter gene^(My)/+, reporter gene-marker gene/+, and reporter gene⁺/−, wherein said endogenous gene is selected from the group consisting of the HPRT and the TK genes. 